Editing Roman Rite of the Templar Order

{{Era|Organizations|Templars}}
{{Update|''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]''}}
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{{Faction Infobox
|image = BoF 5.png
|leader = [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]]
|headquarters = [[Castel Sant'Angelo]], [[Rome]]<br>[[Abstergo Industries]] [[Animus Project laboratory|HQ]], Rome
|locations = [[Italy]]
|active=c. 1st century BCE – present}}
The '''Roman Rite of the Templar Order''',<ref name="The Essential Guide">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]''</ref> also known as the '''Italian Rite of the Templar Order''', is one of the oldest [[Templar Rite|Rites]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]], in operation in [[Italy]] from the time of [[Roman civilization|Ancient Rome]] through the [[Renaissance]] era, and into the [[modern times|present day]].

During the time of Classical Antiquity, the Templars' predecessors, the [[Order of the Ancients|'''Order of the Ancients''']], infiltrated both the [[Roman Republic]] and later the [[Roman Empire]], successfully influencing generals and emperors to further their [[New World Order|goals]] despite constant interference from their sworn enemies, the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]].

During the Renaissance, the Templars' goals of peace and order were corrupted by two [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Masters]] from the [[House of Borgia]], [[Rodrigo Borgia|Rodrigo]] and [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]], who instead sought power and domination at all costs. Modern Templars view the Borgias as debauched tyrants who corrupted the Order's goals for their personal gain, and consider their reign to be a "Dark Age of the Order."

In the late 15th century, the Roman Rite consisted of three powerful Italian families: the [[House of Pazzi]] alongside [[Uberto Alberti]]; the [[House of Barbarigo]] alongside [[Carlo Grimaldi]]; and the House of Borgia, the leaders of the Rite with Rodrigo as the Grand Master. In the early 16th century, control of the Rite shifted to Rodrigo's son Cesare, who was assisted by four generals he had placed in charge of controlling [[Rome]]: his sister [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]], cousin [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan]], [[Octavian de Valois]] and [[Micheletto Corella]].

Over a period of thirty-one years from 1476 to 1507, the Roman Rite was systemically eliminated through the efforts of the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Brotherhood]] of [[Assassins]], in particular [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]. Despite that, the Italian Templars continued to operate in the country and, by the 21st century, have returned to prominence thanks to establishment of their front company, [[Abstergo Industries]]. 

==History==
===Ancient Rome===
Originally founded in [[Egypt]] around 1334 BCE, the [[Order of the Ancients]] was a secret organization which had the goal of creating a [[New World Order]] by influencing world leaders and using the power of the [[Piece of Eden|Pieces]] of [[Eden]], ancient artifacts created by the [[Isu]]. By the 1st century BCE, the Order had spread its influence from Egypt to the [[Roman Republic]], where two members, [[Flavius Metellus]] and [[Lucius Septimius]], served as high-ranking generals and advisors to [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], who was eventually convinced to join the Order as well.<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref>

[[File:ACO Fall of an Empire, Rise of Another 6.jpg|thumb|250px|Caesar and Septimius]]
In 47 BCE, the Egyptian [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] and his wife [[Amunet|Aya]] formed the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]] in response to the Order's actions, seeking to fight against tyranny and protect the people's free will. While Bayek killed Flavius after the latter had used an [[Apple of Eden 2|Apple of Eden]] to enslave the population of [[Cyrenaica]], Aya traveled to Rome with fellow Hidden Ones [[Marcus Junius Brutus]] and [[Gaius Cassius Longinus]] to combat the Order's influence.<ref name="ACO" />

By 44 BCE, Caesar had been appointed Dictator for life, effectively controlling the {{Wiki|Roman Senate|Senate}} and the Republic as a whole with the backing of the Order. In response, Aya, Brutus and Cassius, alongside twenty-one other Roman Senators, devised a [[Assassination of Julius Caesar|plan]] to assassinate Caesar, which they executed successfully on the {{Wiki|Ides of March}}. Prior to Caesar's assassination, Aya also killed Septimius, seemingly ending the Order's influence in Rome.<ref name="ACO" />

However, the Hidden Ones' victory was short-lived, as control of both the Order and the Roman Republic later fell to Caesar's adopted son [[Augustus|Octavian]].<ref name="Sic Semper Tyranis">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – ''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]'' – [[Sic Semper Tyrannis]]</ref> Seeking revenge on Caesar's assassins, Octavian formed an alliance with [[Marcus Antonius]] and pursued Brutus and Cassius, who had fled Rome. When the two Hidden Ones were eventually defeated at the [[Battle of Philippi]] in 42 BCE, they both opted to commit suicide.<ref name="ACO comic">[[Assassin's Creed: Origins (comic)|''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' comic]] – [[Assassin's Creed: Origins 4|Issue #04]]</ref><ref name="PL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Holidays: Chapter 1 – Ghosts of Christmas Past]]</ref>

[[File:ACO HO Screenshot - Rufio.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Rufio with his men]]
In 38 BCE, the Order sought to take control of Egypt and had [[Gaius Julius Rufio]] establish a presence in the [[Sinai|Sinai Peninsula]]. Rufio controlled the region with the help of his three generals – [[Ampelius]], [[Ptahmose]] and [[Tacito]] – but all four were ultimately assassinated by Bayek, temporarily ending Roman control over the Sinai.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – ''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''</ref> By 27 BCE, Octavian had accumulated enough power to declare himself Emperor, ruling under the name Augustus and marking the beginning of the [[Roman Empire]].<ref name="PL" />

During the early 1st century CE, the Order held influence over the third Roman Emperor, [[Caligula]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref> To thwart the Order's plans, the Hidden One [[Leonius]] assassinated Caligula with a [[dagger]] on 24 January 41 CE.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

{{AmbCanon Start}}
====Hunt for the Ankh====
By 259 CE, the Order still had positions within the Roman Empire. However, during that year, the Hidden One [[Aquilus]], guided by his father [[Lucius]], had begun taking down a number of Order members and their allies, until he got to his final target: the Roman general [[Gracchus]]. Being given entrance to Gracchus' military tent, the general confronted Aquilus with the information he had gathered on the Hidden One's activities. Trying to prevent Aquilus from killing him, Gracchus stabbed his would-be assassin in the chest;<ref name="Desmond">''[[Assassin's Creed 1: Desmond]]''</ref> however, the wound was not fatal, and the Romans were quickly attacked and defeated by the [[Alemanni]].<ref name="Aquilus">''[[Assassin's Creed 2: Aquilus]]''</ref>

[[File:AC3A - Vultur death.png|thumb|250px|right|Vultur assassinated by Aquilus]]
Around this time, the Roman senator [[Caïus Fulvus Vultur]] – a secret member of the Order – traveled to [[Lugdunum]] to visit Lucius, an old friend of his. During Vultur's visit, Aquilus returned home, carrying with him the [[Ankh]], an ancient artifact capable of reviving the dead, which had been given to him by his Alaman cousin [[Accipiter]]. Lucius and Aquilus, both unaware of Vultur's affiliations, allowed the senator to stay in their home temporarily. That night, while Aquilus left to interrogate Vultur's accomplice [[Faustinus]], who had alerted Gracchus to the Hidden Ones' plans, Vultur killed Lucius to take possession of the Ankh. After learning about Vultur's treachery from Faustinus, Aquilus rushed back home, only to find his father dead and the Ankh gone.<ref name="Aquilus" />

Aquilus managed to track Vultur to Rome, where he infiltrated the senator's home at night. After a short skirmish, the Hidden One eliminated most of Vultur's guards and was led to the senator's room. There, Vultur attempted to ambush Aquilus with a spear but failed, killing his last guard instead. Left with no protection, Vultur asked for mercy and offered to tell Aquilus about the history of the Ankh. The Hidden One agreed, but afterwards killed Vultur to avenge his father's death and reclaimed the artifact.<ref name="Accipiter">''[[Assassin's Creed 3: Accipiter]]''</ref>
{{AmbCanon End}}

===Middle Ages===
By the 870s, the King of Italy and [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Louis II of Italy|Louis II]] had become one of the leaders of the Order of the Ancients, having followed in the footsteps of his great-grandfather [[Charlemagne]], another prominent member of the Order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Notes from Eivor's travels]]: "Fulke's Journal"</ref> Following the destruction of the Order of the Ancients and its reformation as the Templar Order in the late 9th century,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[The Poor Fellow-Soldier]]</ref> the Templars would continue to operate in the Italian peninsula much like their predecessors, establishing the Roman Rite.<ref name="The Essential Guide" />

In 1321, the Templars killed the Assassin [[Dante Alighieri]],<ref name="AC2" /> making their continued existence known to the Brotherhood after they were believed to have been wiped out almost a decade prior.<ref name="ACI">''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay]]</ref> Three years later, they also killed the Assassins [[Marco Polo]] and the [[Domenico Auditore's father|father]] of [[Domenico Auditore]] in an attempt to retrieve the [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex|Codex]] of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], though they failed in this endeavor as the Codex was destroyed and its pages hidden by Domenico.<ref name="AC2" />

===Renaissance===
By the second half of the 15th century, the Brotherhood had regained a stronger position on the world stage, spreading deep into the Church and nobility of Italy, which served as the primary headquarters of Templars and Assassins alike during this era. Led by [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Rodrigo Borgia]], the Templars sought to unify Italy under their command, and to find an [[Vatican Vault|ancient vault]] built by the Isu, which they mistakenly believed to be holding vast power.<ref name="AC2" />

====Sforza assassination====
[[File:Galeazzo and the Assassin.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Lampugnani kissing Sforza's hand]]
In 1476, the Templars sought to remove the [[House of Sforza|Sforza family]] from power in [[Milan]], thus destabilizing the city's relations with [[Florence]]. Their plan was to assassinate the Duke, [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]], on the Feast of Santo Stefano. Rodrigo, having made plans in Florence, left the city with a couple of henchmen, but was followed by [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]], an Assassin. Rodrigo, frightened, left his henchmen to fight Giovanni while he made his escape. Giovanni managed to kill the henchmen, and take one captive. Giovanni brought this man to the [[House of Medici|Medici]], where he was tortured by [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] and [[Uberto Alberti]].<ref name="Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>

Having gathered enough information on their plans from Rodrigo's henchman, Giovanni hurried to Milan to prevent the Duke's assassination. However, the Templars [[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]], [[Carlo Visconti]] and [[Gerolamo Olgiati]] killed the Duke when the church bell rang for the twelfth time. Visconti and Olgiati managed to escape, while Lampugnani was killed by a Sforza guard.<ref name="Lineage" />

====Auditore execution====
Having been successful in their plan for Milan, the Templars switched their attention to the city of Florence. However, Florence's ''de facto'' ruler, Lorenzo de' Medici, was an ally of the Assassin Giovanni Auditore, and his family was a strong enemy of the [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi family]]; the Templars' main stronghold in Florence. In order to avoid further interventions from the Assassins, Giovannind his two sons [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]] were imprisoned in the [[Palazzo della Signoria]], and they would be trialed by their former ally Uberto Alberti, who had been secretly turned to the Templar cause.<ref name="AC2" />

[[File:LMS 1 v.png|thumb|250px|Uberto Alberti and Rodrigo Borgia watching over the Auditore execution]]
However, the Pazzi guards were unable to capture Giovanni's remaining son; [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]]. Nonetheless, Giovanni, Federico and Petruccio were hanged in front of the Palazzo della Signoria. Ezio, who had attended the execution, realized that his family had been betrayed by Alberti, and after escaping, began making preparations for his revenge. Not too long afterwards, Ezio, using his father's equipment, killed Alberti during an exhibition of [[Andrea del Verrocchio]]'s latest work.<ref name="AC2" />

Alberti's death did not affect the Templars' plans, as the Borgia, believing their problems with the Assassins were solved, continued with their plans to take down the Medici in order to secure control of Florence.<ref name="AC2" />

====Pazzi Conspiracy====
Over the next two years, the Templars, majorly the Pazzi family, continued their schemes for control over Florence. In 1478, Rodrigo met with [[Jacopo de' Pazzi|Jacopo]], [[Francesco de' Pazzi|Francesco]] and [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] in [[San Gimignano]], discussing everyone's tasks in the conspiracy. However, Vieri was killed right after the meeting ended by Ezio, who had attacked the town alongside his uncle [[Mario Auditore|Mario]] and his [[mercenaries]].<ref name="AC2" />

[[File:WiSC 8.png|thumb|250px|left|Francesco attacking Giuliano, with Bernardo in the back]]
Nonetheless, the Templars continued their plans, again arranging another meeting underneath [[Basilica di Santa Maria Novella|Santa Maria Novella]]. Rodrigo, who had received Pope [[Sixtus IV]]'s blessing on the conspiracy on the condition that nobody was killed, was again present, and made the final preparations. The following Sunday, the Pazzi attacked the Medici when they arrived at the [[Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore]] for High Mass; the event that would be known as the [[Pazzi conspiracy|Pazzi Conspiracy]].<ref name="AC2" />

Francesco successfully killed [[Giuliano de' Medici]], stabbing him in the chest nineteen times, but the Pazzi conspirators were only able to wound Lorenzo, who was joined by Ezio in fighting off his assailants. With Ezio's help, Lorenzo managed to escape, but the Pazzi did not cease to cause trouble in the city. On Lorenzo's request, Ezio hunted Francesco de' Pazzi down and killed him.<ref name="AC2" />

[[File:With Friends 2 v.png|thumb|250px|Jacopo trying to reason with Rodrigo]]
With the Templars routed from Florence, Jacopo and the other Pazzi conspirators fled to San Gimignano, where they had once again arranged to meet with Rodrigo in 1480. However, all four remaining Pazzi conspirators - [[Bernardo Baroncelli]], [[Antonio Maffei]], [[Stefano da Bagnone]] and [[Francesco Salviati]] - fell to Ezio's blade over the course of two years, leaving Jacopo to head to the meeting alone.<ref name="AC2" />

At the meeting, Jacopo tried to justify his failure to Rodrigo, but his words only served to anger the Grand Master further, who proceeded to stab Jacopo in the chest. Sensing Ezio's presence at the meeting, Rodrigo then sent his guards after the Assassin while he made his escape. However, Ezio was able to easily dispatch the guards before putting the dying Jacopo out of his misery. With their plans for Florence thwarted by the lone Assassin, the Templars turned their attention to [[Venice]].<ref name="AC2" />

====Taking over Venice====
[[File:BoF 9.png|thumb|250px|left|The Barbarigos meeting with Rodrigo Borgia]]
By 1480, [[Emilio Barbarigo]], the Templar in charge of Venice's [[San Polo District|San Polo]] district, was attempting to unite all of the city's merchants under his banner. However, his plans were opposed by the local [[Thieves|Thieves Guild]], who made several attempts to infiltrate Emilio's private residence, the [[Palazzo della Seta]], and assassinate him, though they all ended in failure. The Guild would eventually succeed in their task thanks to the assistance of Ezio, who infiltrated the palazzo and killed Emilio in 1485.<ref name="AC2" />

Shortly after Emilio's death, the remaining Templars in Venice - [[Carlo Grimaldi]], [[Silvio Barbarigo]], [[Marco Barbarigo]] and [[Dante Moro]] - met with Rodrigo Borgia to discuss their plans for the city. They ultimately decided to kill the Doge, [[Giovanni Mocenigo]], that very night, to allow Marco to take his place. Though Carlo asked that he be given more time to turn the Doge to the Templar cause, Rodrigo refused to wait any further and ordered Carlo to carry out the killing.<ref name="AC2" />

Having eavesdropped on the meeting, Ezio quickly devised a strategy to prevent Mocenigo's murder and used [[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s [[Flying Machine|flying machine]] to infiltrate the Doge's residence, the [[Palazzo Ducale di Venezia|Palazzo Ducale]]. However, the Assassin was too late to prevent the Doge from being poisoned and was instead framed for the murder by Carlo, though he did manage to kill the Templar as he attempted to flee.<ref name="AC2" />

After becoming Doge, Marco Barbarigo, feareful of the Assassins, rarely left the Palazzo Ducale as to not grant his enemies any opportunities to kill him. However, during the [[Carnevale]] of 1486, Marco was obliged to show himself to the people at his personal party. Having managed to obtain entry to the party, Ezio waited for Marco to arrive, and as soon as his target showed himself, the Assassin shot him with his [[Hidden Gun]] before escaping.<ref name="AC2" />

[[File:Two birds 8.png|thumb|250px|The Templar boats setting sail from the Arsenal]]
Thanks to Ezio's efforts, the Venetian Templars had lost control of the city and were forced to retreat to the [[Arsenale di Venezia|Arsenal]]. There, Silvio Barbarigo and Dante Moro hired a small army of mercenaries for protection, regularly fending off attacks from the Venetian Mercenaries Guild led by the Assassin [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]]. However, their luck eventually ran out when Ezio came to Bartolomeo's aid, helping him and his mercenaries breach through the Templars' defenses.<ref name="AC2" />

Silvio and Dante attempted to escape via boat, but the ship they were meant to board had already set sail, leaving the two Templars at Ezio's mercy. The Assassin quickly killed his two targets, only to learn that they served merely as distractions to allow Rodrigo to execute his true plan: to retrieve an [[Apple of Eden 6|Apple of Eden]] from [[Cyprus]].<ref name="AC2" />

====Quest for the Apple====
[[File:He who waits 3.png|thumb|250px|left|The Apple being given to the courier]]
Despite the Templars facing "complications" on Cyprus, the Templar ship returned to Venice in 1488. A Templar courier was assigned to bring the Apple to a Templar guard post, from where the Apple would be escorted to Rodrigo. However, Ezio killed the guard assigned to carry the Apple, and put on his uniform. Impersonating the guard, Ezio was led straight to Rodrigo, whereupon he revealed himself by killing his two escorts, leaving him alone with the Grand Master.<ref name="AC2" />

Seeking revenge for the murder of his father and brothers over a decade prior, Ezio fought Rodrigo, and was soon joined by other members of the Assassin Order who had come for the Apple. Outnumbered, Rodrigo was forced to escape, abandoning the Apple, which was promptly seized by the Assassins.<ref name="AC2" />

With the Apple lost for now, Rodrigo shifted his focus to locating the Isu vault, which required two Pieces of Eden to be opened; the Apple being one of them. To find the vault, Rodrigo knew he required Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex, and thus he commissioned the Templar [[Girolamo Riario]], Lord of [[Forlì]], to create a map leading to the hidden Codex pages. However, Riario was murdered before he could deliver the map to the Templars, secretly on the orders of his own wife, [[Caterina Sforza]].<ref name="BoF">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – ''[[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Battle of Forlì]]''</ref>

Desperate to acquire the map, Rodrigo enlisted the services of the Orsi brothers – [[Ludovico Orsi|Ludovico]] and [[Checco Orsi|Checco]] – unaware that they were the ones who had killed Riario. Nevertheless, the Orsi accepted the job and invaded Forlì with their army of mercenaries to force Caterina to surrender the map, as well as the Apple, which the Assassins had given to Caterina for safekeeping. However, they ultimately failed in their task and were killed by Ezio.<ref name="BoF" />

====Control over the Papacy====
Despite his failures to acquire both the Apple and the map to the Codex pages, Rodrigo was ultimately unfazed. Learning that the Isu vault he sought was located underneath the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]], he set his sights on becoming Pope, believing that the position would grant him easy access to the vault.<ref name="AC2" />

In 1491, Rodrigo became a candidate in the Papal conclave and fooled the Spanish Inquisitor General [[Tomás de Torquemada]] into following his orders. Much of these orders involved annihilating the Assassins Guild in [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]], with Rodrigo claiming they were heretics. The Grand Master also made attempts to thwart [[Christoffa Corombo]]' journey to the New World, as he wanted the Templars to be the first to travel there. However, all of these plans were thwarted again by Ezio Auditore, who had sailed to Spain.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref>

On 11 August 1492, Rodrigo became Pope Alexander VI after having bribed most of the cardinals.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''</ref> Being the head of the [[Christianity|Christian]] church, the Templars became the most powerful force in [[Europe]] and based their headquarters in Rome.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref> As the Pope, Rodrigo also gained access to the [[Papal Staff of Eden|Papal Staff]], which was in reality an Isu artifact and the second Piece of Eden required to open the Vatican Vault.<ref name="AC2" />

In the late 1490s, Rodrigo learned that the Apple had come into the possession of the monk [[Girolamo Savonarola]], who used it to remove the Medici family from power and become the ''de facto'' ruler of Florence. Seeking to recover the artifact, the Templars sent continuous waves of soldiers to Florence. However, the bodies kept being sent back, and the Templars were disappointed when Savonarola was ultimately overthrown and executed before they had the chance to retrieve the Apple.<ref name="BotV">''[[Assassin's Creed II]] – [[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Bonfire of the Vanities]]''</ref>
[[File:IBAL 4.png|thumb|250px|Ezio confronting Rodrigo inside the Sistine Chapel]]
On 28 December 1499, the leading Assassins in Italy traveled to Rome to assassinate Rodrigo and prevent him from accessing the Vatican Vault. While his allies distracted the Borgia guards in the city, Ezio traveled along the [[Passetto di Borgo]] to the [[Basilica di San Pietro]]. Once inside the [[Sistine Chapel]], the Assassin lunged at Rodrigo while he was proclaiming the Nicene Creed in Latin to the congregation. However, Ezio briefly hesitated to take his target's life, allowing Rodrigo to recover and shove the Assassin away.<ref name="AC2" />

After using the Papal Staff to subdue his entire congregation, Rodrigo was surprised to see Ezio resist the Staff's powers. The Assassin then revealed that he had brought the Apple with him, using it to summon four illusionary clones of himself to assist in his battle against Rodrigo. Despite this, the Grand Master ultimately emerged victorious, and took the Apple from Ezio, whom he left for dead after stabbing him in the abdomen.<ref name="AC2" />

With both Pieces of Eden in-hand, Rodrigo entered the Vault, but was unable to access the main chamber, as only the "Prophet" could do so. The Grand Master was soon confronted by Ezio again, who had survived his stab wound and demanded to settle matters between them in a fist fight. Rodrigo complied, but despite being empowered by the Staff, he was ultimately no match for the younger and stronger Ezio. Resigning to his fate, Rodrigo demanded that the Assassin end his life quickly, but was surprised when his opponent decided to spare him instead. He then watched as Ezio used the Pieces of Eden to open the door to the Vault, confirming that the Assassin was the true "Prophet" all along.<ref name="AC2" />

While Ezio entered the Vault, Rodrigo, humiliated by his defeat and broken by the revelation that he was not the "Prophet", fled to safety. He later informed his son [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]] of the events that had transpired inside the Vault, as well as the fact that the Assassins were in possession of the Apple. Ignoring Rodrigo's warnings to not provoke the Assassins, Cesare decided to exact retribution, as well as take the Apple for himself.<ref name="Brotherhood" />
[[File:Vilified 10.png|thumb|left|250px|Cesare Borgia in Monteriggioni]]
On 2 January 1500, Cesare, who served as Captain General of the Papal Army, led his forces in a [[Siege of Monteriggioni|siege]] of the Assassins' headquarters at [[Monteriggioni]]. During the battle, Cesare personally executed the Assassin leader Mario Auditore after taking the Apple from him, while his men captured Caterina Sforza and gravely injured Ezio. After Monteriggioni was left in ruins, the Borgia returned to Rome victorious.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

As control over the Templars slowly shifted to Cesare, he became the new Grand Master and strived to take over all of Italy, and later Europe. Rodrigo greatly disagreed with his son's lust for power and corruption of the Templar cause, but as he had been reduced to a mere figurehead, he could do little to stop Cesare's ambitions.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

As the Templars were ruling the church, individuals such as King [[Louis XII of France]], King [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] and King [[Manuel I of Portugal]] all answered to the Borgia. Meanwhile, Cesare planned to strengthen his army with [[War Machines|war machines]] created by Leonardo da Vinci, who had been forced into serving the Borgia. With his army, Cesare quickly conquered various states in Italy.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

However, unbeknownst to Cesare, Ezio had moved to Rome and started rebuilding the Assassin Brotherhood there. In Cesare's absence, Ezio destroyed the war machines and the Assassins killed most of Cesare's high-ranking generals, including his cousin and personal banker [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]] and the French general [[Octavian de Valois]]. Control over Rome became lost to the Templars, and their plans could not be executed. Returning home from war, Cesare found all his support gone and his funds cut off.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

====Routing from Italy====
[[File:Apple a day 5.png|thumb|250px|Cesare Borgia killing his father]]
On 18 August 1503, Rodrigo, who had begun to see Cesare as a threat, met with his son in the papal apartments of the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]]. There, he placed a platter with poisoned apples on the table, and as planned Cesare took a bite from one of them. However, Cesare's sister [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]] had found out about Rodrigo's intentions and entered the room to warn her brother. Furious, Cesare shoved the remaining apple down Rodrigo's throat, asking him where the Apple was simultaneously. However, Rodrigo died before he could disclose the artifact's location, and Cesare had to beat the information out of his sister.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

Ezio, who had hoped to kill Rodrigo himself, entered the room after Cesare had left, and also got the Apple's location from Lucrezia. Both Cesare and Ezio raced to the Apple, but as the former was significantly slowed down by the poison he had ingested, the Assassin arrived first and escaped with the artifact. Using the Apple, the Assassins eliminated Cesare's remaining followers in Rome, and Cesare himself was arrested on the orders of the new Pope, [[Julius II]].<ref name="Brotherhood" />

In 1504, Cesare managed to escape his imprisonment in the Castel Sant'Angelo, but was quickly re-captured by Ezio. The Pope then had Cesare transferred to the [[Castillo de la Mota]] in [[Aragon]], Spain; a location that only the Pope was aware of.<ref name="Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref> 

In 1506, Cesare escaped once again, this time with the help of his right-hand man [[Micheletto Corella]]. The two then rode to [[Valencia]], where Cesare started to raise an army, operating from the [[Lone Wolf Inn]]. Ezio, who had used the Apple to track Cesare, destroyed the Templar's encampment and twelve ships together with [[Niccolò Machiavelli]]. Cesare blamed Micheletto for the attack, and the latter attempted to strangle his master. However, Cesare gained the upper hand during their struggle and killed Micheletto. Without any men, Cesare made his escape to the Kingdom of Navarre, ruled by his brother-in-law [[John III of Navarre|John III]].<ref name="Brotherhood novel" />

[[File:PaxR 6.png|thumb|left|250px|Ezio letting Cesare fall to his death]]
In March 1507, John III appointed Cesare to lead his forces during the [[Siege of Viana]]. During the battle, Cesare was once again faced by Ezio, who had used the Apple to locate him. Cesare made his escape towards the [[Viana Castle]], but was ultimately confronted by Ezio atop the castle's walls. After being defeated, Cesare got thrown off the castle walls by Ezio. With Cesare's death, the Templars were no longer led by the Borgia and their quest to conquer Italy and the rest of Europe came to an end.<ref name="Brotherhood" />

In 1515, the Templar [[Dei Petrucci]] was carrying an Apple of Eden through Florence when he was ambushed by the Assassins [[Hiram Stoddard]] and [[Giovanni Borgia]]. The Assassins killed most of Petrucci's guards and were about to take the artifact when the last of his men distracted them, giving the Templar enough time to flee with the Apple.<ref>[[Assassin's Creed (Titan Comics)|''Assassin's Creed'' comic series]]'' – ''[[Assassin's Creed Volume 3: Homecoming|Volume 3: Homecoming]]''</ref>

===French Revolution===
Prior to his ''coup d'etat'' of the [[Parisian Rite of the Templar Order|Parisian Rite]] in 1789, [[François-Thomas Germain]] likely contacted the Roman Rite to gain their support for his plot by convincing them that the overthrowing of Grand Master [[François de la Serre]] was necessary.<ref name="ACUN">[[Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' novel]]</ref>

In 1794, the Roman Rite was contacted by [[Frederick Weatherall]], who sent appeals asking them to support the overthrown [[De la Serre family]] against Germain and his extremists. Though they lent their sympathies, they offered no support, as the Parisian Rite ran smoothly, making [[Élise de la Serre]]'s request for support of marginal interest.<ref name="ACUN" />

===Modern times===
By the early 21st century, the Templars had returned to prominence in Italy, mainly through the establishment of an [[Abstergo Industries]] [[Animus Project laboratory|laboratory]] in Rome.<ref name="AC"> ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>

==Legacy==
Although many modern Templars saw the House of Borgia as debauched tyrants,<ref name="The Essential Guide" /> a statue of Rodrigo Borgia could be seen outside the headquarters of the Templar company [[Abstergo Entertainment]]. The modern-day Templars also regard Rodrigo as one of the greatest minds in Templar history who also valued family but attained a bad reputation due to the work of his arch-enemy Ezio Auditore.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''</ref>

==Members==
===Order of the Ancients===
;Roman Republic
*[[Ampelius]] {{c|[[Egyptian Rite of the Templar Order|Egyptian Rite]]}} 
*[[Augustus]] {{c|leader; 44 BCE – 14 CE}}
*[[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]] {{c|leader; c. 47 BCE – 44 BCE}}
*[[Flavius Metellus]] {{c|Egyptian Rite}} 
*[[Ptahmose]] {{c|Egyptian Rite}}
*[[Gaius Julius Rufio]] {{c|Egyptian Rite}}
*[[Lucius Septimius]] {{c|Egyptian Rite}}
*[[Tacito]] {{c|Egyptian Rite}}
;Roman Empire
*[[Caïus Fulvus Vultur]]
;Holy Roman Empire
*[[Louis II of Italy]] {{c|leader; c. 870s}}

===Roman Rite===
;Renaissance
<div style="float:left; width:48;">
*[[Uberto Alberti]]
*[[Stefano da Bagnone]]
*[[Emilio Barbarigo]]
*[[Marco Barbarigo]]
*[[Silvio Barbarigo]]
*[[Bernardo Baroncelli]]
*[[Cesare Borgia]] {{c|Grand Master; 1503 – 1507}}
*[[Lucrezia Borgia]]
*[[Rodrigo Borgia]] {{c|Grand Master; 1476 – 1503}}
*[[Juan Borgia the Elder]]
*[[Juan Borgia the Younger]]
*[[Caha]]
*[[Cahin]]
*[[Il Carnefice]]
*[[Fiora Cavazza]]
*[[Bonacolto Contarini]]
*[[Nicolaus Copernicus]]
*[[Micheletto Corella]]
*[[Gaspar de la Croix]]
*[[Matteo Favero]]
*[[Pietro de Galencia]]
*[[Carlo Grimaldi]]
*[[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]]
*[[Lanz]] 
</div>
<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
*[[Il Lupo]]
*[[Antonio Maffei]]
*[[Malfatto]]
*[[Donato Mancini]]
*[[Charles de la Motte]]
*[[Auguste Oberlin]]
*[[Gerolamo Olgiati]]
*[[Francesco de' Pazzi]]
*[[Jacopo de' Pazzi]] 
*[[Vieri de' Pazzi]]
*[[Dei Petrucci]]
*[[Girolamo Riario]]
*[[Ristoro]]
*[[Francesco Rizzo]]
*[[Lia de Russo]]
*[[Silvestro Sabbatini]]
*[[Francesco Salviati]]
*[[Baltasar de Silva]]
*[[Rocco Tiepolo]]
*[[Alessandro Valignano]] {{c|[[Japanese Rite of the Templar Order|Japanese Rite]]}}
*[[Octavian de Valois]]
*[[Teodor Viscardi]]
*[[Carlo Visconti]]
*[[Vittorio]]
</div>
{{-}}

===Allies and puppets===
;Roman Republic
*[[Agrippa]]
*[[Venator]]
;Roman Empire
*[[Caligula]]
*[[Faustinus]]
;Holy Roman Empire
*[[Fulke]] {{c|[[British Rite of the Templar Order|British Rite]]}}
;Renaissance
<div style="float:left; width:48;">
*[[Georges d'Amboise]]
*[[Agostino Barbarigo]]
*[[Bruno]]
*[[Pedro Álvares Cabral]]
*[[Vasco da Gama]]
*[[Sirus Favero]]
*[[Isabella I of Castile]]
*[[Pedro Llorente]] 
*[[Louis XII of France]]
*[[Manuel I of Portugal]]
</div>
<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
*[[Juan de Marillo]]
*[[Gaspar Martínez]]
*[[Dante Moro]]
*[[Checco Orsi]]
*[[Ludovico Orsi]]
*[[Paganino]]
*[[Demetrio il Silente]]
*[[Sixtus IV]]
*[[Tomás de Torquemada]] {{c|[[Spanish Rite of the Templar Order|Spanish Rite]]}}
</div>
{{-}}

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed – The Ankh of Isis Trilogy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Memories]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' novel]] {{Mo}}
*[[Assassin's Creed (Titan Comics)|''Assassin's Creed'' comic series]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Identity]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' {{c|as the Order of the Ancients}}
**''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Origins (comic)|''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' comic]] {{c|as the Order of the Ancients}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' {{Imo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' {{Imo}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
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{{ACII}}
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{{ACFC}}
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{{ACID}}
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{{ACRebellion}}
{{ACBV}}
[[zh:圣殿骑士组织罗马分册]]
[[Category:Templar Rites]]
[[Category:Articles that need updating]]
[[Category:Abstergo Industries]]