Aegon II Targaryen is the eldest son of Viserys Targaryen and Alicent Hightower. Prior to the death of King Viserys I, he had named his daughter Rhaenyra his heir. When Aegon II ascended the Iron Throne, usurping Rhaenyra, this led to the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. This terrible event in Westerosi history involves multiple houses and saw the death of several notable figures.
In the House of the Dragon, Aegon II is ultimately the main villain in Rhaenyra's story. Although Aegon didn't want the throne initially, he later becomes driven enough to fight for his claim. The battle between these two would-be rulers is one of fire, blood, and intrigue. Those who know a lot about Rhaenyra should also know a lot about the half-brother who usurped her.
6 He's Supposed To Resemble His Father
In the books, it is detailed that Aegon II resembled his father. Viewers of the show have yet to see this claim made, as the actor that plays Aegon doesn't resemble the actor that plays Viserys. Perhaps as the show progresses, Aegon's war-worn appearance will grow closer that of his father. Aegon is yet young, about 23 years old when he is crowned.
The one thing both Aegon and Viserys do share aside from the typical physical characteristics of a Targaryen is they both don't have the appearance of a warrior. This appearance is instead truer for their younger brothers, Aemond and Daemon Targaryen.
5 He's Remembered As One Of The Worst Kings
When the Dance of the Dragons ended and history moved on, Aegon II's legacy is not one of valor or honor. History instead remembers him as one of the worst kings to ever rule the Seven Kingdoms. This is a clear contrast to the legacy of his namesake, Aegon I.
Despite the countless deaths and misery that were brought about by his conquest, Aegon the Conqueror is often remembered as a just and strong ruler. He's a figure that's since been defied and praised even until the events of the Game of Thrones. Aegon II, on the other hand, is remembered as weak and a tyrant. Rhaenyra's legacy isn't at all better, however.
4 It Is Believed That He Fathered A Lot Of Bastards
Like many tyrannical nobles before and after him, Aegon II is believed to have fathered multiple bastards. He was promiscuous and a deviant. He often preyed on his servants in Kings Landing and frequented the city's brothels.
One such alleged bastard is Gaemon Palehair. Gaemon becomes a notable character at the end of the Dance of the Dragons. He also becomes the cup-bearer and a close friend to Aegon III, the first son of Rhaenyra and Daemon.
3 Under His Orders, The Red Tower Became Home To 100 Cats
In one of the most terrible moments of the Dance, a butcher and a ratcatcher known as Blood and Cheese were sent to murder one of Aegon's children. Blood was captured two days later. Cheese, however, remained free. In his rage, Aegon ordered to have every ratcatcher in the city hanged.
This left King's Landing without a ratcatcher to deal with the city's rodent infestation. To supplant this, Otto Hightower brought over a hundred cats to the Red Keep. These cute and feisty cats may have multiplied and are the ancestors of the cats highlighted during the events of Game of Thrones.
2 Real-Life Connection To The Actor That Plays Daemon
In House of the Dragons, Aegon II Targaryen was portrayed by two actors. The younger Aegon II shown in episodes six and seven is portrayed by Ty Tennant. Fans of the science-fiction genre may find this name familiar, and that's because Ty Tennant is the stepson of David Tennant, the actor who played the tenth Doctor in the well-renowed BBC series Doctor Who.
The Doctor that took up the mantle right after David Tennant is Matt Smith, the very same man who plays Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Both David and Matt starred alongside each other in "The Day of the Doctor," a Doctor Who special episode celebrating the show's 50th anniversary.
1 The Conqueror's Name & The Conqueror's Sword
Not only does Aegon II share a name with Aegon the Conqueror, he also wields his sword: Blackfyre. It is one, if not the most famous Valyrian swords in the world. When Aegon I died, his body was burned while clutching the Valyrian sword. His son, Maegor Targaryen, retrieved the sword from Aegon's body. The sword was not damaged in any way, but the fire gave the sword its current blackened appearance.
Blackfyre has seen countless battles and has ended many lives, from unknown soldiers to renowned knights. Despite this, Aegon has never been known to use this sword. When Aegon goes to battle, he does so on his dragon, Sunfyre. The only time the sword was used to end another's life while it was still owned by Aegon was when he sentenced Trystane Truefyre to death. Trystane was beheaded using Blackfyre, but the sword was swung by Ser Alfred Broome, a knight serving under Aegon.