What Happened To Balerion? How Long Before HOTD Did He Die?

Balerion the Black Dread’s skull looms over House of the Dragon, but when did the Targaryens’ most fearsome and powerful dragon die? House of the Dragon brings audiences back to Westeros about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. In this era, House Targaryen is at the peak of their power as rulers of the Seven Kingdoms, thanks to their dragons, the ‘nuclear weapons’ of this medieval fantasy world. However, by the time King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) sits upon the Iron Throne, Balerion, the Targaryens’ mightiest dragon, is long since dead.

While there are many dragons in House of the Dragon, none live up to the legendary titan that is Balerion, also known as The Black Dread. Even by the point in the timeline that Game of Thrones begins, Balerion is still regarded is the most powerful — and terrifying — dragon to ever be seen in the skies above the Seven Kingdoms. Given the sheer size and strength of Balerion, there are naturally questions over how it was he died prior to the events of House of the Dragon.

Who Rode Balerion?

The Legendary Targaryen Dragon Had Equally Legendary Riders

Balerion is the most legendary and well known Targaryen Dragon, and while this reputation was gained partly due to the size and power of The Black Dread, the Targaryen’s that rode him are equally responsible for his legacy. Balerion was the largest and most powerful of the three dragons House Targaryen brought with them when they escaped the Doom of Valyria and settled in their seat at Dragonstone, a volcanic island just east of Westeros.

Aegon the Conqueror rode Balerion when he mounted his conquest of the Seven Kingdoms, while his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys rode the dragons Vhagar and Meraxes, respectively. Balerion’s scales and wings were black, as was the fire he breathed. The Black Dread was so large that his shadow could engulf entire towns as he flew overhead, and his teeth were as long as swords. Balerion’s fire also destroyed the mighty castle of Harrenhal, which was thought to be impregnable.

In the Targaryen family dynasty, King Maegor I and Princess Aerea were Balerion’s other known riders. However, while both have their own stories, neither were as glory-filled (in the eyes of Westeros’ historians, at least), as Aegon I. Both Maegor (who was known as Maegor the Cruel) and Princess Aerea were known for reasons other than conquest. Balerion was a key tool in Maegor’s arsenal, for example, but it was ultimately his tyrannical reign for which he was remembered rather than his skills as a dragon rider.

Balerion played a key part in Princess Aerea’s story, though she wasn’t a conquering hero like Aegon or a cruel tyrant like Maegor. After claiming Balerion as her dragon, Aerea vanished with him to the East. When they returned years later, Aerea had contracted a mysterious illness, and died shortly after.

How Did Balerion Die?

Balerion Succumbed To Old Age

By House of the Dragon‘s era, beginning in 101 AC with the Great Council that named Prince Viserys as the next King of Westeros, Balerion was already dead. Balerion died in 94 BC, towards the end of the long and prosperous reign of Viserys’ predecessor, King Jaehaerys. Prince Viserys was Balerion’s last rider but by the time the future King mounted the black dragon, he was already very old and near the end of his life.

Balerion died less than a year after Viserys rode him. Somewhat surprisingly, especially giving his reputation and eventful life, Balerion simply died of old age. The dragon was over two centuries old when he finally passed away, which is an incredibly long life even for the dragons of Westeros.

How Long Before Game Of Thrones Balerion Lived

The Black Dread Lived And Died Several Centuries Before Game Of Thrones Began

Balerion was the last of the original five dragons Aenar Targaryen brought with him when his family fled Valyria before the Doom and settled on Dragonstone. As King Viserys told his daughter and named heir, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Balerion was the last dragon to have seen Old Valyria, where he was born, before the city was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. To put this in the context of the Game of Thrones timeline, Balerion died just over two centuries before the events of season 1.

Game of Thrones season 1 starts in 298AC, with House of the Dragon beginning in 101AC. Balerion died in 94AC, though this is by the book timeline and so may differ in the canon of the HBO shows. The Black Dread’s skull was originally mounted in the Red Keep, as seen in House of the Dragon. In Game of Thrones, Arya Stark (Maisie WIlliams) stumbles upon Balerion’s massive skull in the dungeons of the castle after the remains of the Targaryens’ dragons were moved there by King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy).

Are Any Of House Of The Dragon‘s Dragons Bigger Than Balerion?

Balerion Remains The Largest Dragon To Exist In Westeros

The only living dragon in House of the Dragon who rivals Balerion in size is Vhagar, whose flame was said to be so hot it could melt a knight’s armor and cook him inside. Vhagar has yet to be seen in House of the Dragon, but upon Balerion’s death, she became the largest, oldest, and most powerful of the Targaryen dynasty’s dragons. Vhagar’s last rider was Prince Baelon the Brave, who died in 101 AC.

Vhagar’s next dragon rider will be Laena Velaryon (Savannah Steyn), the daughter of Lord Corlys Velaryon AKA The Sea Snake (Steve Toussaint) and his wife, Rhaena Targaryen (Eve Best), the Queen Who Never Was.

Balerion is a Targaryen legend and, in Game of Thrones‘ time, Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) Drogon is the dragon who comes closest to matching the Black Dread. Drogon was the largest and most powerful of Daenerys’ three dragons, and he is the only one who survived the Game of Thrones finale, even outliving living his “mother,” Daenerys. Drogon was not as large as Balerion was but Drogon was also still growing throughout Game of Thrones. Perhaps Drogon will live to exceed Balerion in size and power. Of course, House of the Dragon is long over before Drogon is even born.

House of the Dragon

Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

Cast

Jefferson Hall , Paddy Considine , Fabien Frankel , Ryan Corr , Eve Best , Gavin Spokes , Graham McTavish , Steve Toussaint , Olivia Cooke , Sonoya Mizuno , Bill Paterson , Matthew Needham , Emma D’Arcy , Matt Smith , Rhys Ifans , David Horovitch

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Seasons

2

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

Ryan Condal

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