5 Maddest Targaryens in Game of Thrones History, Ranked by How Evil They Were

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The characters in Game of Thrones represent a wide range of moralities, but House Targaryen includes some particularly villainous figures. Often, their cruel actions seem to stem from the legendary ‘Targaryen madness’ – a phenomenon that’s led other noble families of Westeros to say the gods are impartial. While Daenerys’ descent into madness at the end of the series is a stark example, it’s not the first, nor the worst, instance of this instability in Westeros’ history.

The most disturbing Targaryen instances of madness combine cruelty with truly bizarre thinking. While someone like King Aegon IV was awful, he wasn’t plagued by the paranoia or delusions seen in other members of his family. Conversely, some Targaryens are considered mad but aren’t particularly dangerous. Prince Rhaegel, for example, was known for eccentric behavior like wandering naked through the Red Keep, but he pales in comparison to the five most unhinged Targaryens.

5) Viserys III Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen’s behavior in the final season of Game of Thrones might make her a contender for this list, but Viserys was arguably more unstable. He would have likely turned to violence much faster if he’d had even a little bit of the power Daenerys possessed. Viserys was willing to threaten and even sell his own sister to get back the throne, showing a willingness to do anything for power. While Viserys may not have been completely insane, he certainly showed worrying signs of it.

Viserys acted as if he could easily control the Dothraki and claim the Iron Throne through sheer confidence, but his attempt to become king would have been a terrible mistake. If he’d lived longer with armies and dragons, he could have caused significant damage. Fortunately, he died early in both the A Song of Ice and Fire books and Game of Thrones, placing him low on the list of dangerous rulers. While those around him witnessed his harshness, he didn’t have the opportunity to inflict widespread suffering on Westeros.

4) Baelor I “The Blessed” Targaryen

King Baelor I Targaryen was deeply religious, but his faith also drove him to commit terrible acts. Despite this, many common people admired him, making it difficult to view him as a great ruler. However, his policies weren’t kind to everyone. For example, he cruelly banished prostitutes and their families from King’s Landing, justifying it with his religious beliefs. This wasn’t an isolated incident; his reign also saw the destruction of books due to his extreme faith.

Baelor I wasn’t just known for his harsh laws; he also imprisoned his own sisters, supposedly to protect their reputations. Considering his history of erratic behavior, typical of some Targaryens, he may have genuinely thought he was doing the right thing. However, this didn’t lessen the pain his actions caused his family. While Baelor “The Blessed” might not be the most problematic Targaryen in the history of Westeros, he’s definitely among the five worst.

3) Aerion Targaryen

Prince Aerion Targaryen, who takes Joffrey’s place in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is quickly establishing himself as a villain. Just three chapters into the Game of Thrones prequel, he’s already shown a cruel streak. During the Ashford Meadow tourney, he needlessly injured a rider and killed their horse during a joust. He was also quick to resort to violence, threatening to break a man’s fingers and even kill commoners over small offenses. Background from George R.R. Martin’s writings shows Aerion was similarly cruel as a child, even threatening to harm Egg.

Prince Aerion is certainly one of the more villainous Targaryens, though his full descent into madness hasn’t been shown yet. His overreaction to a puppet show suggests what’s coming, but his most extreme behavior likely won’t be depicted directly. Aerion’s actions stem from his fear that House Targaryen is losing its standing. Ultimately, he becomes convinced he can transform into a dragon by drinking wildfire, which leads to his death. While Aerion is undeniably cruel and delusional, he doesn’t reach the level of the most infamous Targaryen rulers because he never gains significant power or becomes king.

2) Maegor I Targaryen

Among the Targaryens in Game of Thrones, King Maegor I Targaryen is considered one of the most ruthless, and his nickname, Maegor the Cruel, fits perfectly. He was the third king of his family to rule from the Iron Throne, and his reign was filled with terrible acts. However, his cruelty began long before he became king; as a child, he was already known for violent behavior, including harming animals and even a stableboy before the age of ten.

Maegor I Targaryen eventually seized the Iron Throne from his nephew, and became increasingly violent. While some debate whether he was truly insane – you can find plenty of discussion about it online – his cruelty is undeniable. I believe his behavior suggests a degree of sociopathy, placing him among the mad Targaryen rulers. However, he was often calculating even in his most brutal acts. This differs from Aerys II Targaryen, whose worst actions were a direct result of his declining mental health.

1) Aerys II Targaryen (The Mad King)

Aerys II Targaryen, often called the Mad King, is considered one of the most evil Targaryen rulers because he perfectly embodies both madness and cruelty. Unlike Maegor I, who was vicious from the start, Aerys II began his reign as a charming and capable king. However, over time, he became increasingly paranoid and tyrannical, eventually resorting to horrific acts like burning people alive and planning to use wildfire against his own city, King’s Landing. This ultimately led Jaime Lannister to earn the infamous title of Kingslayer.

I really see Aerys as a tragic figure, just like Daenerys later on in the show. You can see the signs of his instability building over time, and it ultimately leads to awful things happening. Honestly, it could have been even worse if Jaime hadn’t done what he did and risked everything to save King’s Landing. Aerys truly earned his reputation, and it’s no wonder people still talk about him as a cautionary tale for anyone who might become king.

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2026-02-06 04:12