Who was Altaïr based on?

Altaïr ibn La’Ahad, the protagonist of the Assassin’s Creed series, was based on the real-life Shia Muslim sect, the Ismaili Nizaris, a breakaway group from the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam that occupied a string of mountain castles in Syria and Iran from the end of the 11th century until the Mongol conquests in the middle of the 13th. The character of Altaïr was inspired by the Nizari Ismailis, who were known for their skilled assassins and their ability to blend into their surroundings, making them formidable opponents in the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Altaïr and the Assassin’s Creed Series

1. Is Altaïr a real person?: No, Altaïr is a fictional character, but his story is inspired by the real-life events and figures of the Middle Ages.
2. What does Altaïr mean in Arabic?: Altaïr means “flying eagle” in Arabic, symbolizing freedom, prosperity, and success.
3. Is Altaïr related to Ezio?: No, Altaïr and Ezio are not related, they are just two Assassins from different time periods and locations.
4. Who was Ezio Auditore based on?: Ezio Auditore is a fictional character, but his story is set in Renaissance Italy and is inspired by the real-life events and figures of that time period.
5. What is the Assassin’s Creed series based on?: The Assassin’s Creed series is based on the historical conflict between the Assassins and the Templars, with a focus on fictional characters and storylines.

About the Historical Context

6. Who were the Nizari Ismailis?: The Nizari Ismailis were a Shia Muslim sect that broke away from the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam and occupied a string of mountain castles in Syria and Iran.
7. What were the Mongol conquests?: The Mongol conquests were a series of military campaigns led by Genghis Khan and his successors that resulted in the conquest of a large portion of the known world.
8. What was the Holy Land during the Crusades?: The Holy Land referred to the region that is now Israel, Palestine, and parts of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, which was the center of conflict during the Crusades.

About the Characters and Their Relationships

9. Is Basim Altair’s father?: No, Basim Ibn Ishaq is not Altair’s father, but he may be a direct ancestor.
10. Did Ezio see Desmond before he died?: Yes, Ezio saw an apparition of Desmond before he died, which was a significant event in the Assassin’s Creed series.
11. Who is the strongest Assassin in Assassin’s Creed?: Ezio Auditore is often considered one of the strongest Assassins in the series, due to his skilled combat and stealth abilities.

About the Storyline and Gameplay

12. Why did Altair lock himself in the library?: Altair locked himself in the library to safeguard the Apple of Eden, a powerful artifact that played a central role in the Assassin’s Creed series.
13. What does Ezio say after killing someone?: Ezio often says “Requiescat in pace“, which is Latin for “Rest in peace“, after killing his targets.
14. Is the Order of Assassins still active?: No, the Order of Assassins was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century, but their legacy lives on in the Assassin’s Creed series.
15. Who is the face of Ezio Auditore?: Francisco Randez, a French-Canadian model, provided the facial likeness for Ezio Auditore in the Assassin’s Creed series.