Imagine two mysterious figures cloaked in secrecy, sneaking through the dusty streets of 12th century Jerusalem. They are shadowing a powerful politician, an Italian who has just been crowned king of Jerusalem after a brief Christian victory during the Crusades. As the king and his entourage turn a corner, the cloaked figures spring into action. One attacker sacrifices himself, while the other is captured. The king eventually succumbs to his injuries. Sounds like a scene from a video game, right? Well, it’s also a page straight out of history.
Welcome to Nutty History! Today, we’re diving into the world of the Nizari Ismailis, a real-life group of assassins who nearly toppled empires in the 12th century. Known as the Order of Assassins, these Nizari Ismailis conducted secret missions across the Middle East, taking out powerful leaders with stealth and precision that would impress even today’s intelligence agencies.
Our story begins with Hassan-i-Sabah, a member of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam, which was considered heretical by many other Muslim groups. The main disagreement was over who should succeed as leader, dating back to the 8th century. Born around 1050 A.D. in what is now Iraq, Hassan-i-Sabah studied in Cairo, part of the Fatimid Caliphate, where he converted to Ismailism. Frustrated by the Fatimid Ismailis’ lack of ambition, he founded his own branch called Nizari Ismailism, named after Abu Mansour Nizar, whom he believed should have been the next caliph.
Hassan-i-Sabah led his followers from Egypt to the territories of modern-day Iran and Syria, then under the control of the powerful Seljuk Empire. The Seljuks were not pleased with Sabah’s presence, but he had his eyes set on Alamut Castle, a remote stronghold in Iran. Disguised as a schoolteacher, Sabah infiltrated the castle, and with the help of converted locals, seized it in 1090. Alamut became the Nizari’s base for further expansion.
This marked the beginning of the Nizari-Seljuk conflicts. The Seljuk leader, Vizier Nizam al-Mulk, was a target for the Nizari. In 1092, a Nizari assassin, disguised as a Sufi mystic, eliminated al-Mulk, plunging the Seljuk Empire into chaos and allowing the Nizari to capture more fortresses.
By the early 1100s, the Nizari expanded into Syria. Hassan-i-Sabah sent his trusted ally, al-Hakim al-Munajim, to infiltrate Aleppo. Over time, the Nizari cell in Aleppo grew powerful, using assassinations and strategic planning to influence the region without a military force.
For 35 years, Hassan-i-Sabah orchestrated operations from Alamut, earning the title “Old Man of the Mountain.” He selected only the most dedicated for the Fedayeen, the assassins of the Order. The term “assassin” is believed to come from “hashish,” suggesting these warriors were promised paradise for their sacrifices, a theory popularized by Marco Polo.
After Hassan-i-Sabah’s death in 1124, the Nizari continued to wield influence. Hassan II, who rose to power in 1162, rebelled against traditional Islamic practices, leading to his assassination by his brother. His son, Muhammad II, took over in 1166, while Rashid ad-Din Sinan, an alchemist and leader from Masyaf Fortress in Syria, became a prominent figure. Sinan trained his assassins well, targeting leaders across the Middle East, including an unsuccessful attempt on Saladin, the Ayyubid king.
In 1210, Hassan III rose to power, steering the Nizari back to traditional Islamic practices. However, the Mongols arrived in 1253, and by 1273, the last of the Nizari fortresses fell to the Mongol military. The Assassins were no more.
Despite their downfall, the Nizari Ismailis left a lasting legacy. Their strategic assassinations and alliances allowed them to build a state with minimal bloodshed compared to other empires. Yet, their reliance on covert operations and lack of a standing army ultimately led to their demise. The idea of sacrificing oneself for a cause persists even today, echoing the promises made to the Fedayeen centuries ago.
Curious about more real-life inspirations behind Assassin’s Creed? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more Nutty History!
Conduct a research project on the Nizari Ismailis, focusing on their historical significance and influence during the 12th century. Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting key figures like Hassan-i-Sabah and their strategic methods.
Engage in a role-playing activity where you assume the roles of key historical figures from the Nizari Ismailis and the Seljuk Empire. Reenact significant events, such as the capture of Alamut Castle or the assassination of Vizier Nizam al-Mulk, to better understand the motivations and consequences of these actions.
Participate in a classroom debate on the ethical implications of assassination as a political tool. Consider the perspectives of the Nizari Ismailis and their opponents, and discuss whether their actions were justified in the context of their time.
Work in groups to create a detailed timeline of the Nizari Ismailis’ rise and fall, including key events, battles, and assassinations. Use visual aids and maps to illustrate their expansion and influence across the Middle East.
Write an essay analyzing the long-term impact of the Nizari Ismailis on modern concepts of espionage and covert operations. Discuss how their legacy is reflected in contemporary media, such as the Assassin’s Creed video game series.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Two mysterious cloaked figures lurk in the shadows, sneaking along dirt roads in 12th century Jerusalem. They are following an influential politician, an Italian who had just been named king of Jerusalem after a brief victory for the Christians during the Crusades. The king’s entourage rounds a corner, and the cloaked men jump out and attack. One of the attackers is taken out by the guards, sacrificing himself, while the others are captured. The king eventually succumbs to his injuries. If this sounds like something out of a video game, you’re right, but it also comes straight from the history books.
Welcome back to Nutty History! Today, we’re looking at the Nizari Ismailis, the real-life assassin group that nearly toppled empires at the height of their power in the 12th century. The Order of Assassins, otherwise known as the Nizari Ismailis, conducted covert operations across the Middle East and the Levant, taking out influential leaders through stealth ambushes and long-term infiltrations that would impress modern intelligence agencies.
It all started with a man named Hassan-i-Sabah. Sabah was part of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam, which was considered heretical by many other Muslim schools of thought. The core disagreement between the Ismailis and the rest of Islam centered on a hereditary succession dispute from the 8th century A.D. Fast forward to 1050 A.D., Hassan-i-Sabah was born in a city in what is now Iraq. He went to study in Cairo, then part of the Fatimid Caliphate, where he converted to Ismailism. Eventually, he became frustrated that the Fatimid Ismailis were not trying hard enough to dominate the Muslim world. Sabah split off and founded his own branch of Ismailism called Nizari Ismailism, after Abu Mansour Nizar, the man Sabah believed should have been the next caliph.
Sabah took his followers from Egypt and set out north towards modern-day Iran and Syria, territories controlled by the powerful Seljuk Empire, a vast Sunni Muslim state. When Seljuk leaders learned that Sabah and his followers were in their territory, they were not pleased. However, Sabah aimed for Alamut Castle, a fortified stronghold in a remote part of Iran, from where he thought he could begin his quest to conquer the Muslim world.
In typical assassin fashion, Sabah infiltrated the castle disguised as a schoolteacher. Many other Nizari had either infiltrated the castle or were already living there and had been converted. The Nizari were able to seize Alamut right under the Seljuks’ noses in 1090, making it their stronghold from which they would expand further. The Nizari captured a string of other castles in the region, using clever conversion tactics to persuade local populations, who were growing restless under Seljuk rule, to let them in.
This initiated what became known as the Nizari-Seljuk conflicts. The de facto Sultan of the Seljuks at the time was Vizier Nizam al-Mulk, an influential politician and philosopher. He led the Seljuks for 20 years but was seen as an obstacle by the Nizari. In 1092, Sabah sent one of his assassins to eliminate the Seljuk leader, disguised as a Sufi mystic. The Nizari agent confronted al-Mulk as he traveled to Baghdad and, in classic Nizari fashion, ended his life. With al-Mulk gone, the Seljuk Empire descended into civil conflict, allowing the Nizari to capture more fortresses.
By the early 1100s, they had spread into Syria. Sabah sent one of his most trusted men, al-Hakim al-Munajim, known as the Physician Astrologer, to infiltrate Aleppo and the surrounding regions. The Nizari cell in Aleppo grew more powerful over the years, using targeted assassinations and behind-the-scenes scheming to exert significant influence while having no military.
For nearly 35 years, Hassan-i-Sabah orchestrated covert operations from his stronghold in Alamut. He rarely left the mountain fortress and became known as the “Old Man of the Mountain.” He ensured that only the most devoted and courageous were chosen as the Fedayeen, the term for the assassins in the Order of Assassins. The Old Man of the Mountain understood that targeting influential leaders was key to preserving and growing his faith.
It’s often assumed that the word “assassin” comes from “hashish,” with the original term “hashashin” suggesting that these Fedayeen indulged in debauchery to be convinced of a paradise awaiting them in the afterlife after completing their missions. This theory was popularized by Marco Polo and is supported by accounts from other travelers.
The Nizari continued to exert influence after Hassan-i-Sabah’s death in 1024, but when Hassan II rose to power in 1162, things picked up again. Hassan II was a bit of a rebel regarding Islam, turning his back on Sharia law, which eventually led to his death at the hands of his brother.
Son Muhammad II succeeded him in 1166, but another influential figure, Rashid ad-Din Sinan, began to rise. An alchemist and schoolmaster, he took up the mantle of leadership from the Masyaf Fortress in Syria. He grew so powerful that he effectively split the Nizari in two. Sinan trained his assassins well, and a series of hits were carried out across the Middle East and Northern Africa, including the assassination of the king of Jerusalem in 1192.
Sinan even attempted to take out the great Ayyubid king Saladin twice, although these attempts were unsuccessful. Saladin reportedly began wearing chain mail everywhere he went. Sinan died in 1193, and in 1210, Hassan III rose to power. Hassan III had more Sunni sympathies and returned the Nizari to more traditional Islamic practices.
However, the Mongols arrived in 1253, and the Mongol General Kublai Khan began a campaign against the Assassin fortresses in Iran and Syria. The Nizari were no match for the Mongol military strategy, and by 1273, the last of the fortresses fell. The Assassins were no more.
Their covert politicking and targeted hits allowed them to gain a strong foothold in the region, but their lack of numbers and a standing army ultimately led to their downfall. They built a state almost purely through targeted attacks and strategic alliances, managing to do so with fewer lives lost than many other states in history.
There are two sides to every coin, though. The subterfuge and promise of paradise for sacrificing oneself in a high-risk line of work is something that persists to this day. What else do you want to know about the real-life inspiration behind Assassin’s Creed? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more Nutty History!
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Assassins – A secretive group known for carrying out targeted killings for political or religious reasons, particularly during the Middle Ages in the Islamic world. – The Assassins were feared throughout the medieval Islamic world for their strategic and often public killings of political figures.
Islam – A monotheistic Abrahamic religion founded on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing submission to Allah. – Islam spread rapidly across the Middle East and North Africa in the 7th and 8th centuries, profoundly shaping the region’s history and culture.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often focusing on the development and impact of civilizations. – Understanding the history of the Roman Empire provides insight into the political and cultural foundations of modern Europe.
Empire – A large political unit or state, usually under a single leader, that controls many peoples or territories. – The British Empire was once the largest in history, with colonies and territories spanning across the globe.
Conflicts – Serious disagreements or arguments, often prolonged, that can lead to wars or battles between groups or nations. – The conflicts between European powers over territory in the New World led to numerous wars and treaties.
Legacy – Something handed down from an ancestor or predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical influences. – The legacy of the Renaissance is evident in the modern emphasis on art, science, and humanism.
Expansion – The process of increasing in size, scope, or influence, often referring to the growth of empires or civilizations. – The expansion of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century created the largest contiguous land empire in history.
Influence – The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. – The influence of Greek philosophy on Western thought is evident in the works of many Enlightenment thinkers.
Crusades – A series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period, primarily to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule. – The Crusades had a lasting impact on Christian-Muslim relations and the political landscape of the Middle East.
Jerusalem – A city in the Middle East that holds significant religious importance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. – Jerusalem has been a focal point of religious and political conflict throughout history, revered as a holy city by multiple faiths.
