Wolf

A wolf

The wolf (Canis lupus) is a large canine native to Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa.

Mythology

The Greek mythology has a tale about the king of Arkadia, Lykaon, who was cursed by the god Zeus for Lykaon's wickedness to become a bloodthirsty wolf.

In Roman mythology, legend has it that a she-wolf protected the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

According to Irish mythology, the goddess Morrigan could assume the shape of a wolf, among others.

History

5th century BCE

During the Peloponnesian War, wolves inhabited various regions of Greece. Members of the Daughters of Artemis used tamed wolves to protect their territories and to accompany them on hunting trips. The Spartan misthios Kassandra also learned to tame wolves. She also hunted them, for their fur was valued at 40 drachmae apiece, and their fangs at 7 drachmae apiece.

The leader of the Daughters at the time, Daphnae, tasked Kassandra with hunting down the legendary Lykaon Wolf, amongst other legendary animals, and obtaining its pelt. One of the Two Kings of Sparta, Archidamos also tasked Kassandra to slay the beast, demanding its head as proof of the deed.

One of the members of the Cult of Kosmos, Zoisme of the Worshippers of the Bloodline, preferred living among wild animals, and was said to be accompanied by wolves, feeding her victims to them. This practice led to her eviction from Phokis, and she moved to the den of a white bear in Malis. Eventually Kassandra hunted her down and ended her reign of terror.

Wolves were also revered, and the Spartan polemarch Nikolaos was called 'the Wolf of Sparta' due to his military proficiency.

The Order of Hunters, a branch of the Order of the Ancients which operated in Makedonia, also utilized wolves and used them to spread terror and doubt among the Greek population.

At one point, Kassandra also hunted wolves for their intestines in order to repair the lyre belonging to the poet Praxilla.

Renaissance

During the Renaissance, the Followers of Romulus wore wolf skins to emulate their god, and they also placed wolf skulls on the entrances to their Lairs.

The Templars also saw the potency of the wolf symbolism to the Assassins' preoccupation with eagles and other birds: one such example consisted of Baltasar de Silva and Fiora Cavazza dubbing their Assassin-styled protégé "Il Lupo" ('The Wolf'). Akin to this, the Templar Shay Cormac's ship, the Morrigan, featured lupine design on her sails, figurehead and wheel.

Meanwhile in Spain, Álvaro de Espinosa formed a group of mercenaries who called themselves Lobos Silenciosos, or the Silent Wolves.

18th century

Haytham Kenway fending off a wolf

During the 18th century, the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton became adept at hunting wolves, trading their pelts, meat and teeth for money. When he and Robert Faulkner arrived at Oak Island to search for William Kidd's treasure in 1777, they were attacked by a pack of wolves who were situated near the sinkhole it was buried under.

In an alternate reality, Ratonhnhaké:ton drank the Tea of the Red Willow and became one with the Spirit of the Wolf. In return, he gained the ability to turn invisible, and the power to summon wolves to attack his enemies.

Starrick Telegraph Company logo

Crawford Starrick, the Grand Master of the British Rite of the Templar Order, also used a stylized likeness of a wolf's head as part of his business symbol, most notably as the logo of the Starrick Telegraph Company.

Behind the scenes

The Templar Order is often likened to wolves in memory names, such as Wolves in Sheep's Clothing or In the Wolf's Lair, or in the Italian-named memories In Bocca al Lupo and Crepi il Lupo.

In contrast, Daniel Cross derided the Assassins as a "family of wolves" in Assassin's Creed: The Chain.

In Assassin's Creed III, Edward Braddock stated "wolves often travel in packs" when he met Haytham Kenway and his fellow Templars in Boston. At Davenport Homestead, wolves could be seen attacking cattle on Warren and Prudence's farm during winter.

Gallery

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  Concept art of wolves
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  A computer generated rendering of wolves eating a deer
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  Ratonhnhaké:ton encountering wolf spirits
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  Ratonhnhaké:ton summoning the wolves
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  Alpha wolf in Greece
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  A wolf in Greece
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  The Lykaon Wolf
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  Lykaon wolf fight

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Rogue (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey