ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Happened to The Templars in The Battle with The Sultan of Egypt
The popular video game series, Assassin’s Creed, features a fascinating rivalry between two secretive groups: the Order of Assassins and the Templars. These groups clash in various historical settings, from the Crusades in Jerusalem to the Viking era in Scandinavia, and even during the Revolutionary War in America. In the games, the Templars are often depicted as the antagonists, seeking to control society to achieve peace through order. In contrast, the Assassins believe that true peace comes from freedom. But how much of this epic rivalry is based on real history?
In history, the Assassins were known as the Nizari Ismailis, a sect of Shia Islam. Their leader, Sinan, was a master strategist and became famous as the “Old Man of the Mountain.” Under his leadership, the Assassins became known for their targeted assassinations, often against powerful leaders. Sinan even attempted to form an alliance with the Christian king of Jerusalem against their common Sunni Muslim enemies. However, this plan was thwarted when Templar knights attacked the Nizari delegation, leading to a conflict between the Assassins and the Christians.
In 1176, Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt, laid siege to the Nizari fortress of Masyaf. Despite previous assassination attempts on him, Saladin and Sinan reached a truce. They recognized the potential of working together against the Templars and the Crusaders. This alliance was significant in battles like the Battle of Montgisard in 1177, where Saladin’s forces faced a larger army of Templars and Crusaders. Although not documented, it’s possible that the Assassins supported Saladin in this battle.
In 1187, Saladin achieved a major victory by capturing Jerusalem. He offered King Guy of Lusignan a chance to negotiate while he was held captive. After the victory, Saladin ransomed many captured Christians, but the Templars, seen as too fanatical, were executed. Saladin continued to defend against Christian forces during the Third Crusade from 1189 to 1192. Meanwhile, Sinan and the Assassins continued their covert operations, targeting leaders from both Christian and Muslim factions. Both Saladin and Sinan passed away in 1192, leaving behind a legacy of complex alliances and conflicts.
The Templars, founded in 1119 by Hugh de Payens, were initially dedicated to protecting Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem. Over time, they gained significant power and wealth, which eventually made them a threat to the Catholic Church. In 1307, the King of France ordered the arrest of all Templars, leading to their persecution. Despite their downfall, rumors of their survival and influence persisted, with some suggesting connections to the Freemasons.
While the Assassin’s Creed games take creative liberties, they are rooted in historical events. The Nizari Ismailis, by the 11th century, had established a network of fortresses and influenced regional politics through their strategic actions. The Templars, with their similar organizational structure, shared some parallels with the Assassins, including a common enemy in the Crusaders. The Crusades continued for another century, resulting in significant losses for the Christians. By 1291, all Christian strongholds had fallen, and the last Nizari fortress was destroyed by 1271, scattering the Order of Assassins.
The story of the Assassins and the Templars is a captivating chapter in history, filled with intrigue, alliances, and battles for power. While the video games offer a fictionalized version, the real history is equally fascinating and complex.
Choose a historical figure mentioned in the article, such as Saladin or Sinan, and conduct in-depth research about their life and role in the events described. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting their contributions and impact on the historical events discussed.
Participate in a class debate where you will be assigned to represent either the Assassins or the Templars. Prepare arguments based on historical facts to support your group’s ideology and actions. Engage in a respectful debate with your classmates to explore the motivations and consequences of each group’s actions.
Work in groups to create a detailed timeline of the key events mentioned in the article, such as the siege of Masyaf and the capture of Jerusalem. Use visual aids and include important dates, figures, and outcomes to help illustrate the sequence of events and their significance.
Engage in a role-playing game where you assume the roles of different historical figures from the article. Your objective is to form strategic alliances and navigate the complex political landscape of the time. Discuss and negotiate with your peers to achieve your goals while staying true to your character’s historical context.
Write a short story or essay imagining an alternate history where the Assassins and Templars formed an alliance. Consider how this alliance might have changed the course of history and the outcomes of key battles. Share your creative work with the class and discuss the potential implications of such a scenario.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided transcript:
—
The video game franchise Assassin’s Creed pits the Order of Assassins against the Templars in various historical contexts, from the Crusades in Jerusalem to the Vikings in Scandinavia, and the Revolutionary War in what would become the United States. These shadowy orders vie for control over the course of history, each seeking to exert their influence on society and using violence to create peace. In the video games, the Templars are portrayed as villains, an order that seeks to subjugate the masses, believing that social control is the only way to achieve peace. The Assassins, on the other hand, believe that freedom is the ultimate path to a peaceful society. But how much of this rivalry is historically accurate?
Behind the assassination attempts on Saladin was the Nizari chief, Sinan. Under his leadership, the Order of Assassins experienced a kind of renaissance. Sinan was a shrewd leader who created a cult of personality, becoming known as the “Old Man of the Mountain,” a master of targeted assassination. He would initiate his followers through elaborate ceremonies that included various indulgences to demonstrate what awaited them after their missions. Sinan had been in conflict with Saladin’s predecessor, Nur ad-Din, for some time. In 1173, he proposed an alliance with the Christian king of Jerusalem against the Sunni Muslims who aimed to retake Jerusalem. However, on their way back from negotiations, the Nizari contingent was attacked by Templar knights under the orders of their Grand Master, Otto de Saint-Germain. The king of Jerusalem was displeased and demanded the knights be handed over, but Sinan refused, stating that only the Pope had the authority to command them. This event turned Sinan and the Nizari against the Christians, leading to a dual front against both Muslims and Christians.
Three years later, in 1176, Saladin laid siege to the Nizari fortress of Masyaf. After a prolonged siege, Saladin and Sinan reached a truce. Despite the assassination attempts, Saladin viewed the Nizari as potential allies, and they worked together against the Templars and the Christians to reclaim the Holy Land. One of their notable victories occurred in 1177 at the Battle of Montgisard, where Saladin’s forces faced a much larger army of Templars and Crusaders. Although there is no record of it, given the alliance between Saladin and Sinan, it is possible that Assassins fought alongside Saladin’s forces.
In 1187, Saladin captured Jerusalem, reportedly offering King Guy of Lusignan a chance to negotiate while he was held captive. After the victory, Saladin ransomed back many captured Christians, but the Templars were considered too fanatical, and any captured Templars were executed. Saladin successfully repelled another Christian incursion during the Third Crusade from 1189 to 1192, while Sinan and the Nizari worked behind the scenes, targeting various leaders from both Christian and Muslim factions. Both Saladin and Sinan passed away in 1192 after decades of complex relationships and conflicts.
While the Assassin’s Creed video games take creative liberties, much of the historical backdrop is accurate, and the Assassins themselves did exist. The Nizari Ismailis, by the 11th century, had captured several fortresses in the Persian mountains and influenced regional politics through targeted actions against influential leaders. This specific branch of Shia Islam was considered heretical by many other Muslim sects and had a hierarchical structure with their leader, the Imam, believed to be a direct descendant of Muhammad.
The Templar organizational structure was quite similar, with some sources suggesting that the Templars were influenced by the Nizari. The Templars, founded in 1119 by a Frenchman named Hugh de Payens, dedicated their lives to protecting Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem. While the Templars and Assassins may seem like opposites, they shared some interesting similarities, including a common enemy. The Assassins targeted Christians at times, including a notable assassination of Conrad of Montfort, who was killed shortly after being named King of Jerusalem.
Saladin, a Sunni Muslim, united the Muslim world against the Crusaders and recaptured Jerusalem in 1187. However, the Nizari Assassins initially resisted his unification efforts. They attempted to assassinate Saladin multiple times, including during his siege of Aleppo in 1175 and while he was besieging another city. Despite their efforts, they were unsuccessful, and Saladin increased his security measures.
Over the next century, the Crusades continued, resulting in significant losses for the Christians. By 1291, all Christian strongholds had fallen. In a last-ditch effort, Pope Innocent IV sought to ally with the Mongols, but this alliance never materialized. By 1271, the last Nizari fortress was destroyed, scattering the Order of Assassins.
The Templars, having amassed significant power and wealth, became a threat to the Catholic Church. In 1307, the King of France ordered the arrest of all Templars, leading to widespread persecution. Rumors of the Templars’ survival and influence persisted, with connections made to the Freemasons, but that is a topic for another discussion.
Make sure to like and subscribe, and thank you for watching!
—
This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains a focus on the historical context and events discussed in the original transcript.
Templars – A medieval Christian military order founded in the 12th century, known for their role in the Crusades and their distinctive white mantles with a red cross. – The Templars were instrumental in protecting Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land during the Crusades.
Assassins – A secretive Islamic sect known for their targeted killings during the Middle Ages, particularly during the time of the Crusades. – The Assassins were feared by many leaders during the Crusades due to their stealthy and precise attacks.
Saladin – A Muslim military leader who became the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria and led Islamic forces during the Crusades. – Saladin is celebrated for his leadership and chivalry, especially during the recapture of Jerusalem in 1187.
Jerusalem – A city of great religious significance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and a focal point of conflict during the Crusades. – The capture of Jerusalem was a primary objective for the Christian forces during the First Crusade.
Crusades – A series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period, primarily aimed at recovering the Holy Land from Islamic rule. – The Crusades had a profound impact on the relationship between Christian and Muslim worlds, shaping the course of history for centuries.
Egypt – A country in North Africa with a rich history, including its role as a center of Islamic power during the time of the Crusades. – During the Crusades, Egypt was a significant power under the leadership of Saladin, who unified the Muslim front against the Crusaders.
Sinan – A prominent architect and engineer in the Ottoman Empire, known for his significant contributions to Islamic architecture. – Sinan’s architectural genius is evident in the design of the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, which remains a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture.
Alliance – A formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations to cooperate for specific purposes, often seen in historical conflicts. – The alliance between France and Scotland in the 13th century was aimed at countering English influence and power.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, encompassing a wide range of topics from ancient civilizations to modern times. – Understanding history is crucial for learning from past mistakes and shaping a better future.
Conflict – A serious disagreement or argument, often a protracted one, which can occur between nations, groups, or individuals. – The conflict between the European powers over colonial territories in the 19th century led to significant geopolitical changes.
