The Rise and Fall of Valyria Explained | House of the Dragon

Valyria was the home of the Targaryens and the other dragon lords of old! Not much is known of Valyria but in this video we will travel back in time to the Lost City of Valyria and uncover all the details between the Rise and Fall of the greatest city in the known world, on the southern most tip of Essos Valyria! From the Origin of Dragons to the meek beginnings of Valyria we will discuss it all!
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Art Credits:
Thumbnail: Tyrosh by Pila-art.com
Qarth by Archylol
Wizards of Coast by Cynthia Sheppard
Gemstone emperor- Artist Unkown
Dragonbinder - Artist Unkown
Kraken in Pursuit - www.deviantart.com/mike-halls...
Valyria - TWOIAF
Areion - Artist unknown
Art Credits continued
Music Credits:
Ross Bugden - • Emotional and Dramatic...
Sources Used! ASOIAF Novels, GRRM's works HBO Series Game of Thrones, A **Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and A World of Ice and Fire, The Princess and The Queen (Dangerous Women) , The Rouge Prince (Rouges), The World of Ice and Fire App, Sons of the Dragon (Book of Swords)
**A Song of Ice and Fire amzn.to/2kySWt4
**Dangerous Women amzn.to/2waMd38
**Rouges amzn.to/2FDUJH7
**The Book of Swords amzn.to/2KvPq02
**A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms amzn.to/2ja60IZ
**A World of Ice and Fire amzn.to/2kz6uJ8
**Fire and Blood amzn.to/2ri1hpG
**Game of Thrones Season 7 amzn.to/2jpy20N
** Links with (**) are sponsored/affiliate links which means, if you use those links to purchase a product I am compensated. However, I will never recommend you anything that I would NOT buy myself or that I do not currently own. Your Support is much appreciated!

[@harrissheikh8673]

Hats off to the mind of GRRM who created this fictional world. Which seems like more believable then the real one. Really so intriguing and interesting.

[@grandadmiralthrawn8941]

You obviously have never traveled before. I have been all over the world and it is far more interesting then the fiction one martin created. You are just a coward who stay at home.

[@harrissheikh8673]

@@grandadmiralthrawn8941 you obviously didn't got my point what I was saying. And regarding who is a coward and who is is not. Try and come face to face with me.

[@melanatedqueen6662]

@Grand Admiral Thrawn I’ll bet you never even left your mama’s basement let alone traveled the world. Calling folks cowards as you hide in comment sections on videos that are over a year old 😂 Yall just be lyin to lie. Come on out of the basement and quit projecting your travel fantasies onto strangers. It’s not healthy son.

[@nadine8764]

So, pompei but with dragons

[@seangotts6470]

lol its basically the war of the roses in england ... all he did was switch names

[@takuveli8805]

I hope that House of The Dragon will be spread across different timelines following the events around -the doom of Valyria -Aegon’s conquest - Dance -Robert’s rebellion

[@lIulIu00]

agreed. i’m excited to see the actors they pick as well.

[@harrissheikh8673]

If they show all that in one series that would be amazing. With competent show runners unlike those hacks D&D they would be able to recreate history. It would be bigger then got for sure. And HBO will be rich as fuck

[@time391]

And who knows if they do this and George finishes the last 2 books, maybe just maybe Game of Thrones will get a remake

[@atulrcks]

They can't do all that , each of these are as long as war of 5 kings and that took 8 seasons

[@Ragnarswe]

I would rather see: - The Rise of Valyria This would have more dragon lore than other eras.

[@H00618]

I like it when someone discusses the history of Valyria, Westeros and all these works of GRR Martin as if it was real part of human history

[@davidthewhale7556]

I think if HBO want to do a spin-off, Valyria is where they should do it. Imagine a Gladiator style story for game of thrones

[@finalboss9607]

Valyria would cost a fortune to recreate accurately

[@abhishekbaburaj1105]

@@finalboss9607 a better much more simpler and familiar idea is Robert's rebellion

[@anderkid1090]

I’d prefer an animated version. It would be far easier to recreate Valyria that way

[@travismathis3279]

They're doing dance of the dragons.

[@kaysmith8992]

What made GoT such a success was its appeal to non-sci-fi fans. Setting it in Valyria would make it lose that "Historical" feel.

[@franchescageorge6999]

I’m just trying to imagine the size that Valyria would have to be to be the home of ALL the dragons of 40 families. Who knows how many dragons were actually flying around out there

[@EloImFizzy]

I just want to know who that first madman was that said "you know what, I think I'm going to climb on that fire-breathing monstrosities back and ride it."

[@dothrakidani358]

Hold my dornish red. Imma ride it...

[@dustyroads5753]

He was a drunk cowboy who was dared by other drunk cowboys 💁.

[@leeorren9667]

Heck yea..

[@heccra]

“Brave men didn't kill dragons. The brave men rode them.”

[@sohailshaikh829]

Yes, it was HICCUP the viking.

[@devoleno]

Interesting. I don't think House Targaryen benefited by becoming the only dragon riders left in the world. I imagine they were comfortable as a smaller less powerful house. For them to be left as the sole family of dragon riders, left them vulnerable to may other power houses attempting to over throw and seize their dragons. They were not accustomed nor prepared to suddenly become the center of power and conflict. I think it's why it was well over 100 years before House Targaryen made a move to become the center of power in Westeros.

[@atem4652]

No other power could overthrow them as long as they had their dragons. Other houses couldn't ride dragons, because dragon riding is conected to their blood. Dorne resisted by hiding in caves, but they couldn't really beat the Targeryens.

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@atem4652 Facts. The Targaryens weren't afraid, they were just uninterested, till Aegon happened

[@stepanpazderka5497]

@@atem4652Yeah but the problem is that without other Valyrians they became their own demise. People underestimate how the instant loose of your own culture and identity can impact you. With the Doom, Targaryens lost most of the knowledge and magic necessary to keep their power (yk, the whole thing how with each generation, the dragons kept getting smaller). With their aim to become more Westerosi-like they lost their ancient traditions and culture that kept them powerful.

[@thegreatpage5912]

@@atem4652 The dragons where powerful but by no means invincible. Immediately after the Doom we hear about dragon lords being killed along with their dragons around Essos. The Targaryens with their five dragons could have been a potential target for those seeking to eliminate all dragonlords, especially if they ever caught them off guard.

[@corbinskywalker]

Return of the Gray Lady

[@CHOLGARANG]

The return of the Queen(Gray Lady) ♥

[@Tyreeco3125]

Valyria as an animated series would be to good 👌🏾 I hope HBO does it

[@elliottalderson8400]

It would cost HBO a fortune.

[@nailtoolofamusement]

@@elliottalderson8400 I just wrote this comment but.. Imagine a world where bezos cofounded a billion dollar + series about Valyria with HBO instead of rings. Just.. imagine..

[@chodeoriki4113]

Nah I’d want a live action. But I feel like there’s not enough source material for it to be a show. Maybe a movie at most but I can easily seeing it being dogshit so I think it’s better there isn’t anything.

[@chodeoriki4113]

@@nailtoolofamusement imagine he just straight up built it.

[@gavomorg762]

I’m looking forward to seeing Lord Corlys “seasnake” Velaryon !! What a legend

[@daleallen98]

He was a dumb ass

[@NoOne-ul8ni]

@@daleallen98 Maybe you're the dumb ass? Maybe you're that much of a dumb ass, that you're unable to see that you're a dumb ass. Who knows.

[@peaches2907]

🌝

[@krystasites9034]

I believe the Doom was the same reason Moria died. They dug too deeply into the earth and you simply can't do that on volcanic soil.

[@Daron7181]

The Dwarves woke up a Balrog of Morgoth when they delved too deeply at Khazad Dûm. It’s suspected that both over harvesting the mines and blood magic or some other dark arts practiced by the Valyrians caused the Doom when their magic spells backfired.

[@dekuuchiha9990]

The histories of ASOIAF are so much more interesting than are current story, imo. Not even because of all the dragons. Also I think there was too much magic being used in the area causing 'The Doom', overuse of magic.

[@cathlenejenkins8122]

OOOH that’s a good theory. Mother Nature has her own version of checks and balances, so, could make sense.

[@dekuuchiha9990]

@loveyourselfxx h Yeah who knows. I don't think he will reveal an actual answer to us. Readers choice basically.

[@devoleno]

Overuse of magice while depleting the resources maintain their city's dominance and influence. Does anyone ever suspect that Old Ghis brought on the Doom?

[@JLCRH]

@@devoleno I heard recently that the Faceless men destroyed Valyria because of use of slaves in the mines probably, overuse of magic maybe. I heard that on another channel, maybe in Deep Geek.

[@IAmJustR]

it was the blood magic they used to bind the dragons to them... at least thats what it looks like the show is inferring

[@johnmontag]

There were a few other dragon lords that survived the doom. All died very soon after the doom. One lead a huge army from a free state and none were found again.

[@aupz23]

It would be great to learn about the names of the other Valyrian dragonlord famlies besides the Targaryens and Baelaeres'. It would be great if there was a prequel show on Valyria and the Dragonlord families.

[@christophertracy7136]

I'm still heartbroken over how D&D treated my Dragon Queen!! Still say that Drogon flew Daenerys 2 Volantis and the Red Temple of R'hollor where Kinvara is waiting! She deserves her revenge but I would be happy with her just ruling in the East.

[@HainiDjokovic1995]

She should focus on Essos instead of Westeros. People of Westeros already despise Targaryen family, that symptom already proved in Season 7 when most of Dany allies were dead or captured while Tyrion constantly betrayed her from the moment she went to Westeros.

[@harrissheikh8673]

@@HainiDjokovic1995 If somehow she comes to life. I WISH SO BADLY. The first thing she should do is send ravens for the unsullied and second sons. Gather them all at volantis where she is brought back to life. Then she should ride drogon to kings landing kill bran and tyrion and take charge of kings landing. Then she should charge north and kill that bitch sansa who never appreciated Danny's help in defeating the night king and whatever else she did for the people of north. Then she should bring north back Under her command like it was before. After taking back seven kingdoms and gaining control of Westeros. Then she should go to the wall and kill that son of a bitch john snow. That motherfucking asshole who killed her. Then she should do whatever she wants.

[@ericabelll1050]

they would slaughter her if she tried to go back to slavers bay

[@christophertracy7136]

They can try but she still has Drogon, the Fiery hand the Dothraki. In the books they're saying that she's going 2 burn the slavers in Volantis. They hide behind a wall of black fused stone and the slaves are waiting 4 her 2 come 2 rebel .

[@danilo2735]

revenge against who? D&D?

[@Kspat2]

I’m craving a Valyrian or Asshai/Shadowlands/Yi-Ti book and show so bad. I find it so spectacularly intriguing.

[@fannyalexander5906]

Doom of Valyria and Dance of the Dragons would be great HBO series. Would also loved to see a spin off series regarding the most mysterious and otherworldly places in the map like the east or south. Even the Great Empire of the Dawn.

[@frasierbanks]

Well we’ve got Dance of the Dragons. It’s just now beginning in House of the Dragon! Let’s hope we get a Doom series someday! 😄

[@abyrne234]

This is one of the best videos I've seen on the history of Valyria. I could listen to you all day!

[@ieatzebraarah]

I can tell you really put in so much work in this video that you've been working hard on. Amazing job per usual, keep the juice flowing I'm also convinced the maesters are the reason why the Stone men occupy valyria to prevent people from exploring & learning from them.

[@anatoldenevers237]

The Stone Men don’t occupy Valaryia in the books though. Nobody goes to Valaryia, except Euron Greyjoy possibly

[@arunakoyanbron8927]

@@anatoldenevers237 You mean no one can return 'alive' from valyria. Valyria is a living coffin, with acid rains, active volcanoes that makes rivers boil, possible radiation and mutant horror creatures like the one found in aerea targaryen, as well as other likely beasts so huge they can injure the largest targaryen dragon. I don't think the maesters need to post someone as 'guard' to make sure people don't enter valyria.

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@arunakoyanbron8927 Yeah, only the most insane people would ever go there willingly. Aerea just got stuck along for the ride with Balerion. Interestingly though, there are still some people living in the ruins of the Valaryian peninsula, Oros on the northern shore of the Smoking Sea and Tyria on the southern shore, probably the closest inhabited city to the Valyrian Capital on the are still inhabited apparently, and further north Mantarys.

[@wioi]

@@arunakoyanbron8927Tyrion and Joriah were there and got away alive

[@angelbeautpre]

I feel like I should be watching this to help me study for an upcoming history exam. It’s so compelling!

[@fatiharikan2259]

I misssed this kind o videos. GoT history is so cool to listen, especially when the reader is GrayArea!! Thanku 🍕😚

[@AndrewK23777]

Lady Gray , great vid as always. Valyria and the Valyrians are certainly one of the most fascinating elements of the narrative and its history , from their origins , the heights of power they reached and their eventual demise via The Doom and one that I always enjoy delving into and discussing. And their descendents make up a key amount of importance in the current ASoIaF narrative. Of course a lot of the particulars are not known with the Valyrians , most aspects of them at any stage from their rise to their fall is mostly conjecture and speculation ; of which you seemed to hit on most of them. Very informative vid and you seemed to discuss many possibilities for the contested topics and theories regarding Valyria at every stage. I personally think the Valyrian's dragon origins came from some outreach or more likely a remnant of the fallen EotD who taught them secrets such as dragon breeding , riding and likely the genetic component that is seemingly necessary to maintain such things as well as likely the recipe for dragon-steel. I just think the Valyrians took it to another level , a twisted one at that which previously probably did not involve blood magic and sacrifice to achieve such ends but the Valyrians were curious and likely implemented such things to push the limits of what they were taught from the EotD. Their governmental structure did seem like a sort of Republic / Empire / Oligarchy hybrid system although the exact particulars are not really known either beyond a few textual clues. But it also can not be ignored that the Valyrians seemed to become a brutal borderline evil empire / regime who ruthlessly conquered , killed , enslaved on a massive scale with torture and seemingly twisted experimentation on many levels along the way ; which of course led to them creating many enemies. Which leads us to The Doom , there are numerous theories , dug to invasively and deep around the Fourteen Flames , in-fighting between the Dragonlords , Lannister gold , the Targs themselves but for me a joint conspiracy between Braavos and the Citadel who likely employed the Faceless Men (eventually based in Braavos) to take out the Fire-mages which initiated The Doom is the most likely imo. Both entities had ample motivation and means to work together towards making that happen. Anyway , look forward to much more content about the book material pertaining to the Valyrians and more so the Targs in the lead up to HotD from you Gray , as a great refresher and discussion resource .

[@williamst.romain7393]

The explanation regarding the Valyrian Wars is that people didn't fight Valyria. They fought one or another House of Valyria. The Ghiscari only fought individual Houses which is why they never felt the full might until the end when all the Houses united against them. The same with the Rhoynar. This is rather suggestive in that it wasn't Valyria which was responsible for all the evil things they did, but individual Houses.

[@cmssaysftw]

I love any and all Valaryan content!

[@shirleymcdonald2777]

Lady Gray very often I find myself going back and rewatching hundreds of your videos. They always touch my soul.Thank you

[@AlwaysNforever260]

Your voice is so soothing I can’t even imagine who else has a better voice than you. Please do more I can’t get enough.😍

[@brielovestea3501]

i luv how this feels like actual history lol

[@stephendean2896]

I remember the first time I came across one of your videos years ago. When I was looking for an news of the games of thrones daily. Back then I spent hours nearly daily listening to your voice and your ideas about what's to come Sadly the television series ruined my interest in games of thrones I said all this to say I'm glad to see your channel is still doing well and still growing All your hard work is paying off.

[@samanthamorris5340]

This is as amazing as I knew it would be! Great work Gray!

[@Spookyglam]

I can't believe how late I am to this channel and all of these incredible videos!! I'm definitely making up last time catching up to all of these but I have to say this is my favorite most comprehensive video I've seen on KZbin regarding Valeria!!!!🤩

[@coreywilliams4678]

This is my first time watching the gray lady and damn...that was probably the best game of thrones lore video I’ve seen! Time to binge these videos!

[@SelphieTheNutter]

Not all of the Valyrians where dragon Lords. House Valerion weren't dragon lords and not all Targaryans have thecright temperament to tame dragons. It makes sense that some used horns because they didnt have the confidence to tsme them without one.

[@someguy6395]

This vide was supper informative, you did an awesome job putting it together!

[@fifologistics8303]

I'm glad to see Gray taking up this subject. We waited two years for a final season to GOT. And she kept us going all the days and months in between. I'm confident this channel can fill in the wait for House of Dragon (HOD) by a focus on producing vids like these. She is best qualified to give us some 'flames to get us through the valyrian nights' just like the 'juice that got us through the long night'. So I look forward to her chapter by chapter, character by character, dragon by dragon coverage of Fire and Blood over the next two years wait. Thank you Gray!

[@clodragonthesecond9162]

This is more information that I can usually find in Valyria videos thankyou ❤️

[@nattorres]

You have such a cool channel! So much information! It’s really cool to me how passionate and knowledgeable you are about the whole world of Game of Thrones. I am a big fan of the series, I have never read the books but with this channel I feel like I could learn a lot about this world of Game of Thrones and the prequel so cool. ❤🐉

[@briennesfatsister4788]

You are such a brilliant writer, I love listening to your essays.

[@nranderson778]

I love hearing you read the stories

[@timothycaudill3710]

I absolutely freaking love your recaps with a mind of someone who is knowledgeable about the subject material, but also with a real life IDGAF mentality. Seriously, you are my fav!!

[@dekuuchiha9990]

Good job! I can tell you put alot of work into this. Keep em coming

[@blackeyedlily]

I like that Brightroar theory a lot! I could see both that and Daena’s dream being true. And btw, since you ended this talking about Moqorro, I can’t wait to read more of him in Winds!

[@pastlesandfish]

I want a prequel book/show about Valyria.

[@echo5226]

Thanks for this. I can't believe you put this together two years ago. Glad you made it.

[@Faded.Illuminated]

Omg. You've got that best voice😍

[@moonsorrow77]

LONG LIVE HOUSE TARGARYEN...LONG LIVE MY KHALEESI...

[@walt1709]

Yay jon snow

[@deecawford]

I love your videos. They help with the stories and your voice is super pleasant to go along with the videos.

[@AnitaAnneLloyd]

Excellent clip! You have the voice of an angel. Thank you so much. I am enthralled with dragons and the history of Valyria. How facinating!

[@susanbishop5349]

This is wonderful! Fabulous video, you do really good work❤️

[@_darrinsmith]

You don't know how much I needed this today. Bless you 🙏🏽

[@Epicsandmore24]

They will be incorporating a Valyrian orientated series, based 1000 years before the events of HOTD. The place seems awe-inspiring.

[@shannonjohnson1309]

Just read us the books, I'll pay for that!

[@WilliamLopez-ys2gs]

What book?

[@rickyretallack1564]

I love your voice! So relaxing

[@clayprent8753]

For years I thought she was black bc of her lovely voice 😂 i can’t even explain why

[@stone1409]

@@clayprent8753 she not dang I feel slow now,

[@Someone2aswell]

@@clayprent8753 same here

[@bluocupcake]

Awesome video GrayArea!!! Can’t wait for the next one

[@eliflihi]

Love hearing you read. Great vid

[@TheTam0613]

This was purely amazing!!

[@breezee6483]

Glad you're back!

[@TopNotch770]

A beautiful voice and a masterful narration. Great video and a great channel 👍☺️

[@judahbupe7607]

Perfect narration! Well detailed and 8th point

[@FieryReborn]

Love your videos. Hope to see a lot more HOTD stuff!

[@amandaofhouserobinson6707]

Gray area!!! Thankyou , you were the 1st channel that I ever subscribed too. Your voice, dicussing ASOIAF, just fits so perfectly .. your awesome Gray !! Thankyou

[@Schoki99]

i recommended quinn from ideas of ice and fire as well. lml and joe magican are fine. soac has abandonded us 😩

[@thomasrowsell116]

in my minds the Valyrians were peaceful sheep rearers who lived in harmony with the more peaceful dragons who migrated from the shadow lands earning there trust similar to nettles feeding them sheep and flew about Valyria heading dragons in peace. As this story reached the empire of geese they thought ha, well, Valyrians are peaceful it would be easy to kill them and tame their dragons. that's when the Valyrians started using there dragons for defence and war against the old empire. but as they had never used them for war before they didn't truly understand it, struggling to command there fire (the command Dracarys wasn't being obeyed). so then that's when they stared to use science, probably infecting dragons blood into themselves and there blood into dragons to form a bond After time this bond became hereditary.

[@WarriorGirl_113]

Loved it!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@ShadeoftheEvening]

Hell yes!!! I don't know what program you use, but this looks freakin fantastic!! Thanks Gray❣️✌️

[@Ray-iz4kg]

Thank you for this video. It was far more than I hoped for

[@OberonV1]

You gave me goosebumps!

[@graefshane]

This narrator is perfect. That's all I can say. Subscribed !

[@TuskTheRipper96]

Valyrian’s are descendants of the Great Empire of the Dawn, particularly the Amethyst Empress & her line. Her line became refugees during the Long Night, as did many peoples, they ended up settling down in the Valyrian Peninsula. They eventually rediscovered their draconic connection, & created the Valyrian Freehold.

[@anthonyjohnson6199]

Gonna need to see a aource for that. Everything i'vd read says Valyrians were just gost farmers until the Shadow People near Asshai taught them how to use dragons. The Amythst Empress was from Yu-Ti and was killed by her brother the Bloodstone Emperor no mention of her line continuing anywhere.

[@danielmejorado6098]

This is an excellent voice for audiobooks. 🔥

[@taotaostrong]

I loved this! Keep up the good work! ♥️

[@stone1409]

Love your storytelling can't wait for this series

[@Parlorjam]

Loved it! You Rock!!

[@clarencejackson4666]

Great work!

[@rickandrews9302]

I wish they did a series about old Valyria

[@steel510rain3]

Very well done video I loved this!!!

[@meloneyiona6640]

I am 4 years late but this video is amazing! I am so happy I found your channel!

[@a.benningfield2947]

Wow this was a bunch of great info. You are a good storyteller too. 😊

[@AdrianXpression]

Yesss so excited for every vid

[@redace70]

Liked it ...liked it,!! Loved it keep rockin

[@NancyLebovitz]

That's a wonderful reading-- we're getting the emotion as well as the facts.

[@Hochspitz]

What an epic video! Thank you!

[@cathlenejenkins8122]

You should do some more lore videos on Yi Ti and Asshai. I really want to know when asshai came about/ was founded

[@GrayArea]

I got you!

[@sherrimaldonado]

This was a beautiful video 🥰

[@stealth11]

Great video. I lean toward the red priests of R'hllor being the cause of the Doom of Valyria. It'd be interesting if Martin tied the magic used there into one of the methods they need to use to stop the Others at the conclusion of the books.

[@4URFullDisclosure]

awesome video please keep it up!

[@zonimacabre]

Great video! I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about the old history or GoT

[@raphaelisrael3933]

great as always

[@leecook7904]

I’m addicted!! Ty.

[@stepanpazderka5497]

Castlevania-style mini-series about the Doom of Valyria would be a dream come true for me.

[@dothrakidani358]

I...have missed this...so much...thank you.

[@larryb883]

Great video. Love these and I really love the Atlantis of Goerge’s head.

[@bhillrach]

I loved this thank you!!!

[@dkjkaden]

Finally more videos about content I like!!!!!!

[@bilal1878]

this is a really great video, i enjoyed watching this almos half n hour, pls make more out of this, thanks

[@lejigglyqueenteemo6029]

Yesss, juice time! and a Valyrian video!!! ☺️☺️

[@markgottesman4638]

Wonderfully done. Muh Lady Grey your voice is soothing like a thousand Harps playing... Miss your Wonderful Intro though. Thank you and looking forward to your next tail.

[@ggd210]

Miss u girl so much!! Great video!! 😍👍🏻

[@AmazonKC]

Amazing! I love your readings

[@claudemaggard7162]

They should do the start when valeria was still around back when the city flourished. That would be badass

[@jamesomoz529]

Hi there , bless for the insight into Valerya you explain it well 🙏🏿👍🏿😎✊🏿

[@jolinefields3460]

Love these art and well told tales very cool