Did the Assassins Creed Exist? Unveiling the Truth Behind the Legendary Order
The popular Assassin’s Creed video game series has captivated audiences worldwide with its blend of historical settings, thrilling action, and a compelling narrative of a secret society battling for freedom. But, as players leap across rooftops and engage in clandestine operations, a persistent question arises: Did the Assassins Creed actually exist? The short, honest answer is no, the specific organization depicted in the games, with its overarching conspiracy against the Templars, is a work of fiction. However, the series draws significant inspiration from a real historical group, the Nizari Ismailis, who were indeed known for their political assassinations and operated from fortified strongholds. Understanding the distinction between the game’s fantasy and its historical roots is key to appreciating the richness and intrigue of the Assassin’s Creed universe.
The Historical Basis: The Nizari Ismailis
While the Assassins Creed as we know it from the games is fictional, its foundation lies in a real group called the Nizari Ismailis, a Shia Ismaili sect that emerged in the 11th century. Led by the charismatic Hassan-i Sabbah, they established a network of strongholds across Persia and Syria, with Alamut Castle in Iran being their most famous base. Unlike the fictional Assassins who are a global organization with a centuries-long lineage, the Nizari Ismailis operated in a specific time and place, focused on religious and political objectives within their region.
Political Assassinations and the “Assassins” Name
The Nizari Ismailis were notorious for their use of targeted killings, especially against powerful figures seen as enemies of their faith and political cause. These assassinations, often conducted in public and with a disregard for their own safety, were designed to instill fear and disrupt the ruling powers. The term “hashashin,” which translates to “hashish-users,” was a derogatory label given to the Nizari Ismailis by their opponents, likely implying that their zealous actions were fueled by drug use. It’s this word that eventually evolved into the term “assassin” in European languages, giving it its current meaning of a killer or murderer.
However, modern historical scholarship debunks the association of Nizari Ismailis with regular hashish use. The term was most likely a derogatory political smear that stuck due to its exotic nature. Furthermore, their methods of assassination and political motivations were very different from those depicted in the video games. The Ismaili’s killings were done publicly as a way of intimidation and not with the secretive and stealthy ways of the video games.
The Fall of the Nizari Ismailis
The Nizari Ismaili’s power base and influence diminished over time. Their stronghold, Alamut Castle, fell to the Mongol Empire in 1256, although they briefly regained control in 1275 before losing it again. The Nizari Ismaili sect didn’t completely disappear, and it continues to exist today as a religious group, now with the current Imam being Aga Khan IV. However, their political power as a force of assassinations had faded away as the years went on.
Assassin’s Creed: A Fiction Inspired by History
The Assassin’s Creed games use this real historical background as a springboard for their fictional narrative. The games take elements of the Nizari Ismailis, such as their network of fortresses and their skill in stealth and assassination, and expands it into a grand, secret war between two factions, the Assassins and the Templars.
Key Differences Between Game and Reality
The game franchise fictionalizes the scope of the Assassins. In the games, Assassins are part of an ancient order, fighting for freedom, across various time periods and locations. They possess superhuman skills and engage in a constant battle with the Templars for control of historical artifacts. The Nizari Ismailis, on the other hand, were a geographically localized group with religious and political motivations specific to their era.
Also, unlike the game’s portrayal, there is no evidence that the Nizari Ismailis had an ongoing rivalry with the Templars, nor is there any historical indication that both organizations existed simultaneously for very long. The Templar Knights existed in the 12th century and were a Christian military order that went to the Holy Lands in the Crusades, while the Nizari Ismailis were also around during the Crusades but they were a Shia Ismaili sect operating in Persia and Syria.
Additionally, key characters in the game like Altair Ibn-La’Ahad and Ezio Auditore are fictional creations. While the games are set within real historical periods, the events and characters surrounding the main heroes are fabricated for entertainment. The game writers have confirmed this fictionalization.
Why Use the Nizari Ismailis?
The Nizari Ismailis provided a ready-made, intriguing historical basis for the Assassin’s Creed series. They were a shadowy group of political assassins, living in fortresses, and with a network of spies. They gave the Assassin’s Creed creators a solid base to build on, and then they added additional elements that helped make the game both popular and entertaining for the players.
The series blends historical events and locations with a complex, fictional narrative, and that has proven to be very successful for the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was the first real-life “Assassin” in history?
While Hassan-i-Sabbah was the founder and leader of the Nizari Ismailis, who were known for their targeted killings, not every member was directly involved in assassinations. Specific names of historical members who participated in these acts have not been recorded in history, but Hassan-i-Sabbah is considered the most significant historical figure.
2. How many Assassin’s Creed games are there?
The Assassin’s Creed franchise is extensive. Currently, there are twelve main games, seventeen spin-off games, and several other related projects such as short films and transmedia projects.
3. Which was the first Assassin’s Creed game?
The first game in the series is simply titled Assassin’s Creed, which was released in 2007. The game was set in the year 1191 and it takes place during the Third Crusade in the Holy Land.
4. Are the Assassin’s Creed stories based on real events?
The Assassin’s Creed games use fictional stories that are set within real historical events. This gives players a sense of immersion and provides the series with a level of authenticity.
5. In which countries are the Assassin’s Creed games based?
The Assassin’s Creed games have taken place in numerous countries. Some include Egypt (Assassin’s Creed: Origins), Ancient Greece (Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey), England (Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla), and Italy (Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations).
6. Did Ezio Auditore actually exist?
No, Ezio Auditore is entirely a fictional character created for the Assassin’s Creed series. Neither Ezio nor any members of the Auditore family existed in real life.
7. What kind of mythology is featured in the Assassin’s Creed games?
The games feature various mythologies, from Ancient Greek mythology (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey) to Norse mythology (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla). There are also hints of other mythologies and ancient races such as the Isu.
8. Which is the oldest game in the series by release date?
The oldest game in the series by release date is the first Assassin’s Creed game which came out in 2007.
9. Who is the traitor in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the traitor is Galinn, who wants to remove Soma for his own delusional purposes.
10. Could the Assassin’s Creed scenarios actually be real?
The specific scenarios and events in the games are fictional, and while based on historical periods, are not actual events that happened in real life. However, the historical inspirations lend a degree of believability to the games.
11. Does the Order of Assassins still exist?
The political power of the Nizari Ismailis did diminish over time. While the sect still exists today as a religious group, the Order of Assassins as depicted in the games does not exist.
12. Which Assassin’s Creed game has the biggest world map?
**Assassin's Creed Odyssey has the largest map** in the series, measuring about 45 square miles of land.
13. Who is considered the deadliest assassin in real history?
Although there isn't a real-life person who perfectly matches the game characters, **Julio Santana**, a Brazilian hitman, is often cited as one of the deadliest real-life assassins, though he is very different from what is presented in the Assassin's Creed games.
14. Was Altair the first assassin in the series?
While Altair was the first protagonist in the series, he was not the first assassin in the Assassin’s Creed lore. However, he was one of the most important characters, and his teachings were essential to the Assassins’ development.
15. Did Ezio die at 65?
**Yes, Ezio Auditore died at the age of 65** in Florence after suffering a heart attack. While the young man on the bench is sometimes thought of as the one that killed him, that has not been confirmed.