Hey Vsauce, Joey here.
The Assassin's Creed series takes place during real periods in history. But, what parts of
the game are actually based on those periods, and what parts are completely made up?
Some deeper historical context might help:
For example, the organizations in the game. Did the Order of Assassins and the Knights
Templar actually exist?
Well, the Assassins were a real order of Shiite Muslims founded by Hassan-i Sabbah during
the first crusade. Instead of direct attacks, Sabbah would send our particularly devoted
members of the order to kill high-ranking enemy leaders. In fact, it's currently thought
that the term "Assassin" is derived from the term "Assassiyun," meaning "those faithful
to the foundation."
In the game, the Assassin stronghold of Masyaf is the headquarters of the Order. And while
this was the case during the game's timeframe, 1191, the layout of the castle is mostly fictionalized.
The Assassin's power began to wane as the Mongol Empire destroyed many of their strongholds
in the 13th century. And, by the 14th century, the last remnants of the original brotherhood
were swept away.
So, while assassination techniques may have been passed down since then, like in Renaissance
Italy or Colonial America, the actual Order of Assassin's was long gone.
Now, the antagonist of the series, the Knights Templar, is another real organization that's
been the source of many conspiracy theories for centuries.
Founded as a Monastic order shortly after the first crusade, they were tasked with the
protection of Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. Initially an impoverished order, the
Knights grew in terms of wealth and power due to the Pope's favor.
Between military victories against Muslims and using their assets to set up a banking
system for pilgrims, the Knights Templar became one of the most powerful organizations in
the world. However, the crusades dragged on, and Muslims eventually regained much of the
Holy Land. The Knights lost their Citadels and the people's favor, and were accused of
heresy by the King of France just so he could skip out on his debts with them.
By 1312, the church officially disbanded the organization. And while several groups have claimed
the be the philosophical heirs to the Knights Templar, such as the Freemasons, there's no
direct link of any kind.
So, tales of eternal struggle between the Assassins and Knights, past the crusades,
are pretty much unfounded.
Another intriguing topic is how the Assassin's carried out their deadly deeds. In what ways
are the game's weapons and tactics realistic?
The original Assassins carried out attacks with a knife, or other blade, as their main
weapon. But, unfortunately, the retractable, hidden blades in the game didn't really exist.
In addition, Assassin's didn't normally use poison, bows, or arrows. These were thought
to be sloppy, and increased the target's chance of survival.
But, alongside the blade, Assassin's also used intimidation to achieve their objectives.
The famous Sultan Saladin, who was referenced in the first game, woke from his sleep one
night to find a dagger and a note on his pillow saying that he would be killed if he attacked
the Assassin stronghold of Masyaf. Soon after, he brokered a truce with the Assassins.
Another tactic worth noting is the aversion of collateral damage to innocent bystanders-
a feature present in the game. But, in order to assert their fearlessness, Assassin's did
sometimes carry out their killings in public, which players also find themselves doing in
the games. This devotion to their mission was a famous trait of the order.
Up-coming downloadable content for Assassin's Creed 3, which takes place during the American
Revolution, will include a storyline where George Washington becomes a tyrant and King
of the United States after successfully defeating the British. It's an interesting bit of alternate
history, but the question remains: If he wanted to, could George Washington have become King
of America?
Well, there were at least two points in history where such a result could have realistically
taken place. The first was at the very end of the revolution when several officers in
the Continental Army, angry at not being paid by congress, were looking for a strong, single
figure to take complete control of the new country. Washington easily could have filled
this role.
If successful in convincing the enlisted men, the next steps would have involved marching
on Philadelphia, dissolving the congress, and convincing the state governments to acquiesce
to his stabilizing, central leadership- via a second war, if necessary. Instead, Washington
quelled the discontent with a speech to his men urging the primacy of republicanism, and
resigned his position as Commander in Chief later that year.
However, another chance at near-unlimited power was given to Washington when he was
elected the first President is 1789. During Washington's administration, he set many standards
for the office still in place today, including its limitations.
His arm suppression of farmers during the Whisky Rebellion was met with popular approval,
and it's not out of line to think he could have extended his executive powers with the
people's support, bypassing them in congress if necessary.
He also refused to run for a third term, a custom kept by every President until FDR in
1940. However, he could have easily stayed in office until he died, setting the dangerous
precedent of the imperial Presidency.
Even in modern times, the American people have shown a tendency to reelect politicians
in perpetuity. The senate, alone, has had several long-term office holders only give
up their seats in death.
It's not hard to imagine US President's also being reelected for decades, all following
Washington's potential example.
So, generally, the historical context of Assassin's Creed is both real, and accurate. Even its
alternate timelines are not too far afield. By blending myth and fact, the games are able
to stimulate interest in history spanning a thousand years...and hidden blades... Lot's
of interest in hidden wrist blades.
And, as always, thanks for watching.