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imported>Soranin
imported>Darman36
Doesn't just need sourcing, needs rework, esp with Isu/ancient human history areas
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{{Era|Locations}}{{WP-REAL}}
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'''Europe''' is a continent or subcontinent comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, bordering the [[Arctic Ocean]] to the north, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the west, the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the south, and [[Asia]] to the east along with the rest of Eurasia.
'''Europe''' is a continent or subcontinent comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, bordering the [[Arctic Ocean]] to the north, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the west, the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the south, and [[Asia]] to the east along with the rest of Eurasia.
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===Isu Era===
===Isu Era===
[[File:Atlantis simulation.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The city of Atlantis]]
[[File:Atlantis simulation.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The city of Atlantis]]
Millennia ago, Europe, like the rest of the World, was populated by the [[Isu]], an advanced civilization divided in many factions. In modern [[Greece]], the [[Sister Realms]] of [[Atlantis]], [[Elysium]] and [[Underworld]] were ruled respectively by [[Poseidon]], [[Persephone]] and [[Hades]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' - ''[[The Fate of Atlantis]]''</ref> In [[Norway]], the [[Aesir]] of [[Asgard]] were led by [[Odin]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - [[View Above All]]</ref> To stop the war between the Aesir and the [[Vanir]] led by [[Freyr]], Odin married [[Freyja]], Freyr's twin sister, uniting the two people. Numerous [[Temple (Isu)|Isu Temples]] were built across Europe, especially in [[British Isles]], Greece and [[Italy]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' - [[X Marks the Spot]]</ref>
Millennia ago, Europe, like the rest of the World, was populated by the [[Isu]], an advanced civilization divided in many factions. In modern [[Greece]], the [[Sister Realms]] of [[Atlantis]], [[Elysium]], and [[Underworld]] were ruled respectively by [[Poseidon]], [[Persephone]], and [[Hades]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] [[The Fate of Atlantis]]''</ref> In [[Norway]], the [[Æsir]] of [[Asgard]] were led by [[Odin]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''[[View Above All]]</ref> To stop the war between the Æsir and the [[Vanir]] led by [[Freyr]], Odin married [[Freyja]], Freyr's twin sister, uniting the two people. Numerous [[Temple (Isu)|Isu Temples]] were built across Europe, especially in [[British Isles]], Greece, and [[Italy]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''[[X Marks the Spot]]</ref>


The Isu scientist [[Phanes]] [[Project Anthropos|engineered]] [[Human|humans]] as [[Slavery|slaves]] for the First Civilization, using [[Apples of Eden]] to control them. Phanes fell in love with a female human and they fled to Atlantis. She gave birth to [[Eve]], the first [[Hybrid|hybrid]] who was unaffected by the Apple of Eden.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' - ''[[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' - [[Isu codex]]: "Encrypted message from "Phanes", I of IV"</ref> As the number of hybrids increased, Eve, with [[Adam]], led the [[Human-Isu War]] by stealing an Apple of Eden around 75 010 BCE.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' - [[The Truth]]</ref>
The Isu scientist [[Phanes]] [[Project Anthropos|engineered]] [[human]]s as [[Slavery|slaves]] for the Isu, who used [[Apples of Eden]] to control them. Phanes fell in love with a female human and they fled to Atlantis. She gave birth to [[Eve]], the first [[hybrid]] who was unaffected by the Apples.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]][[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]''[[Isu codex]]: "Encrypted message from "Phanes", I of IV"</ref> As the number of hybrids increased, Eve, with [[Adam]], led the [[Human-Isu War]] by stealing an Apple of Eden around 75,010 BCE.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''[[The Truth]]</ref>
 
During the War, Isu learned that an [[Great Catastrophe|upcoming coronal mass ejection]] will destroy Earth.<ref name="In Bocca al Lupo">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' - [[In Bocca al Lupo]]</ref> The Isu scientists searched for different ways to save the World. The [[Capitoline Triad]], composed [[Father of Understanding]] [[Jupiter]], the [[Mother of Wisdom]] [[Juno]] and the[[Sacred Voice]] [[Minerva]]  work on seven solutions.<ref name="Revelations MD"/> One of the them was the [[Rings of Eden]] Initiative led by [[Rah Cel'eze]], adapting the technology of Rings of Eden to deflect the solar flare. Inside a [[Eden Ring Station|station]] in modern England, the Isu tried to create a giant Ring of Eden to circle the Earth but without the time and resources, they limited their goal to protect one city. Eventually, the initiative was shut down and the station was cut from the global grid.<ref name="Tomb of the Fallen">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - [[Floating conversations]]: Tombs of the Fallen</ref>


During the War, Isu learned that an [[Great Catastrophe|upcoming coronal mass ejection]] will destroy Earth.<ref name="In Bocca al Lupo">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''– [[In Bocca al Lupo]]</ref> The Isu scientists searched for different ways to save the World. The [[Capitoline Triad]], composed [[Father of Understanding]] [[Jupiter]], the [[Mother of Wisdom]] [[Juno]], and the[[Sacred Voice]] [[Minerva]], work on seven solutions.<ref name="Revelations MD"/> One of the them was the [[Rings of Eden]] Initiative led by [[Rah Cel'eze]], adapting the technology of Rings of Eden to deflect the solar flare. Inside a [[Eden Ring Station|station]] in modern England, the Isu tried to create a giant shield to circle the Earth but without the time and resources, they limited their goal to protect one city. Eventually, the initiative was shut down and the station was cut from the global grid.<ref name="Tomb of the Fallen">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Floating conversations]]: Tombs of the Fallen</ref>
[[File:ACV The Hidden Truth 2.png|thumb|250px|The Aesir witnessing the Great Disaster]]
[[File:ACV The Hidden Truth 2.png|thumb|250px|The Aesir witnessing the Great Disaster]]
Knowing that the Isu would become extinct after the catastrophe while humanity would prevail, the Aesir, with the help of Juno, stole the [[Mead]], the seventh solution, permitting to store their essence into the human gene pool across eons.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - [[A Feast to Remember]]</ref> After this treason, the Aesir entered in war with the Isu of [[Jötunheimr]] and [[Múspellsheimr]] and Juno was outcast.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - ''[[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''</ref> In 75 000 BCE, just before the Toba Disaster, Odin, [[Tyr]], Freyja, Freyr, [[Thor]], [[Sif]], [[Idun]] and [[Heimdall]] used the computer [[Yggdrasil]] with the Mead to store their essence before dying. The Isu [[Loki]] also secretly used Yggdrasil to take his revenge on Odin millennia after the Catastrophe.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - [[Animus Anomalies]]: AA_Complete</ref>
Knowing that the Isu would become extinct after the catastrophe while humanity would prevail, the Æsir, with Juno's help, stole "[[Mead of poetry|the mead]]", a catalyst for the seventh solution, permitting to store their essence into the human gene pool across eons.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''[[A Feast to Remember]]</ref> After this treason, Juno was outcast.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] [[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''</ref> In 75,000 BCE, just before the Toba Disaster, Odin, [[Tyr]], Freyja, Freyr, [[Thor]], [[Sif]], [[Idun]] and [[Heimdall]] used the computer [[Yggdrasil]] with the Mead to store their essence before dying. The Isu [[Loki]] also secretly used Yggdrasil to take his revenge on Odin millennia after the Catastrophe.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' [[Animus Anomalies]]: AA_Complete</ref>


After the Earth burnt for weeks, less than ten thousand humans and a few Isu survived. Jupiter, Minerva, and other Isu taught what they could to the humans to help reignite the spark of civilization.<ref name="Revelations MD">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' - [[Modern Times]]</ref> After a few centuries, all Isu were dead but they were remembered by humans as gods, composing the pantheon of different civilizations.<ref name="In Bocca al Lupo"/> While the Isu Temples were buried through time, the [[Pieces of Eden]] were used by descendants of the hybrids, becoming rulers, heroes, and conquerors. Their feats were remembered as legends and the artifacts were perceived as magical objects.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' - [[Glyphs]]</ref>
After the Earth burnt for weeks, less than 10,000 humans and a few Isu survived. Jupiter, Minerva, and other Isu taught what they could to the humans to help reignite the spark of civilization.<ref name="Revelations MD">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' [[21st century conversations|Modern day]]</ref> After a few centuries, all Isu were dead, but they were remembered by humans as gods, composing the pantheon of different civilizations.<ref name="In Bocca al Lupo"/> While the Isu Temples were buried through time, the hybrids' descendants used [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] to become rulers, heroes, and conquerors. Their feats were remembered as legends and the artifacts were perceived as magical objects.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''[[Glyphs]]</ref>


===Antiquity===
===Antiquity===
====Mediterranean Civilizations====
====Mediterranean Civilizations====
[[File:Knossos Palace.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ruins of Knossos Palace]]
[[File:Knossos Palace.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ruins of Knossos Palace]]
During the Bronze Age, many civilizations appeared across Europe, like the Celts in Western Europe, the Etruscans and the Romans in Italy, the [[Minoan civilization|Minoans]] in [[Krete]] and the [[Mycenae]]an in Greece, which was later seen as the cradle of Western civilization, influencing philosophy, art, politics, and science.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' - [[Layla Hassan's personal files]]: "Packing for Greece: Greece"</ref> The Myth of the [[Trojan War]] was perpetuated through [[Homer]]'s poems of the ''[[Iliad]]'' and the ''[[Odysseus]]''.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Iliad]]</ref> ''[[Aesop's Fables]]'' also had a great impact on the European culture.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Aesop's Fables]]</ref>
During the Bronze Age, many civilizations appeared across Europe, like the Celts in Western Europe, the Etruscans and the Romans in Italy, the [[Minoan civilization|Minoans]] in [[Krete]] and the [[Mycenae]]an in Greece, which was later seen as the cradle of Western civilization, influencing philosophy, art, politics, and science.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''[[Layla Hassan's personal files]]: "Packing for Greece: Greece"</ref> The [[Trojan War]] was perpetuated through [[Homer]]'s poems of the ''[[Iliad]]'' and the ''[[Odyssey]]'', while ''[[Aesop's Fables]]'' also had a great impact on European culture.<ref name="ACR"/>


During the Archaic era, the Greek culture expanded by settlers across [[Mediterranean Sea]], in [[Magna Graecia|Sicily]] but also in [[Ionia]] and [[Cyrenaica]]. During the 6th century BCE, the scholar [[Pythagoras]] met the Isu [[Hermes Trismegistus]] who gave him his [[Staff of Hermes Trismegistus|Staff of Eden]], granting him immortality.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - ''[[Divine Science: Chapter 2 – Kyros of Zarax]]''</ref> Pythagoras founded the [[Hermeticists|Cult of Hermes]], a group that sought to keep balance between Order and Chaos. However, many Hermeticists favored Chaos, and they eventually split off to form the [[Cult of Kosmos]], which was led by a person under the moniker the [[Ghost of Kosmos]] to secretly control Greece. They found an [[Pyramid (Isu)|Isu Pyramid]] [[Sanctuary of  Kosmos|under]] the [[Sanctuary of Delphi]], permitting them to see possible futures and influencing Greek politics.<ref name="A Fresh Start">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' - [[A Fresh Start]]</ref> Pythagoras went to the ruins of Atlantis to protect its secrets from the Cult.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' - [[The Gates of Atlantis]]</ref>
During the Archaic era, the Greek culture expanded by settlers across [[Mediterranean Sea]], in [[Magna Graecia|Sicily]] but also in [[Ionia]] and [[Cyrenaica]]. During the 6th century BCE, the scholar [[Pythagoras]] met the Isu [[Hermes Trismegistus]] who gave him his [[Staff of Hermes Trismegistus|Staff of Eden]], granting him immortality.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' [[Divine Science: Chapter 2 – Kyros of Zarax]]</ref> Pythagoras founded the [[Hermeticists|Cult of Hermes]], a group that sought to keep balance between Order and Chaos. However, many Hermeticists favored Chaos, and they eventually split off to form the [[Cult of Kosmos]], which was led by a person under the moniker the [[Ghost of Kosmos]] to secretly control Greece. They found an [[Pyramid (Isu)|Isu Pyramid]] [[Sanctuary of  Kosmos|under]] the [[Sanctuary of Delphi]], permitting them to see possible futures and influencing Greek politics.<ref name="A Fresh Start">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' [[A Fresh Start]]</ref> Pythagoras went to the ruins of Atlantis to protect its secrets from the Cult.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' [[The Gates of Atlantis]]</ref>


[[File:ACOD Akropolis Sanctuary.jpg|thumb|250px|Athens' Acropolis]]
[[File:ACOD Akropolis Sanctuary.jpg|thumb|250px|Athens' Acropolis]]
During the Classical Era, Greece was divided into many poleis, such as [[Sparta]], [[Korinth]], and [[Athens]], which was one of the first [[Democracy]].<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' - [[Tours: Democracy in Athens]]</ref> Between 490 and 449 BCE, Greece was [[Greco-Persian Wars|invaded]] by the [[Achaemenid Empire]] which was supported by the [[Order of the Ancients]], a secret society emulating the Isu civilization by controlling humanity through Pieces of Eden.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' - [[Abstergo Files]]: File.0.02\Hst_Beginning</ref> The Persians and the Order allied with the Cult of Kosmos, facing the Greek city-states alliance, Athens and Sparta among them.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' - [[Bully the Bullies]]</ref> Even if the king [[Leonidas]] of Sparta died with his army at the [[Battle of Thermopylae]], the Greeks defeated the Persians at the battles [[Battle of Salamis|of Salamis]] and [[Battle of Plataia|Plataia]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Historical Locations]] – Boeotia: Battleground of Plataia</ref>
During the Classical Era, Greece was divided into many poleis, such as [[Sparta]], [[Korinth]], and [[Athens]], which was one of the first [[Democracy]].<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' [[Tours: Democracy in Athens]]</ref> Between 490 and 449 BCE, Greece was [[Greco-Persian Wars|invaded]] by the [[Achaemenid Empire]] which was supported by the [[Order of the Ancients]], a secret society emulating the Isu civilization by controlling humanity through Pieces of Eden.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' [[Abstergo Files]]: "File.0.02\Hst_Beginning"</ref> The Persians and the Order allied with the Cult of Kosmos, facing the Greek city-states alliance, Athens and Sparta among them.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' [[Bully the Bullies]]</ref> Even if the king [[Leonidas]] of Sparta died with his army at the [[Battle of Thermopylae]], the Greeks defeated the Persians at the battles [[Battle of Salamis|of Salamis]] and [[Battle of Plataia|Plataia]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Historical Locations]] – Boeotia: Battleground of Plataia</ref>


Without a common enemy, Athens and Sparta fought for Greece's hegemony, creating the [[Delian League]] for the former and the [[Peloponnesian League]] for the latter. This led to the [[Peloponnesian War]] between 431 and 404 BCE, with the Cult of Kosmos infiltrating the two sides to gain control of Greece.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[The Serpent's Lair]]</ref> Their plans were thwarted by the misthios [[Kassandra]], granddaughter of King Leonidas, who assassinated each member and destroyed the Pyramid with the [[Spear of Leonidas|Leonidas' Spear of Eden]].<ref name="A Fresh Start"/> The Order of Ancients infiltrated the Greek institutions during the War but they were stopped by Kassandra who was helped by the Persian Proto-Assassin [[Darius]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' ''[[Legacy of the First Blade]]''</ref> Later Kassandra helped her father Pythagoras to seal the ruins of Atlantis and inherited the Staff of Hermes, becoming the Keeper, tracking Pieces of Eden through the World for twenty-six centuries, like the [[Treasure Hunter's Apple of Eden|Korfu's Apple of Eden]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Ancient Revelations]]</ref>
Without a common enemy, Athens and Sparta fought for Greece's hegemony, creating the [[Delian League]] for the former and the [[Peloponnesian League]] for the latter. This led to the [[Peloponnesian War]] between 431 and 404 BCE, with the Cult of Kosmos infiltrating the two sides to gain control of Greece.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[The Serpent's Lair]]</ref> Their plans were thwarted by the misthios [[Kassandra]], granddaughter of King Leonidas, who assassinated each member and destroyed the Pyramid with the [[Spear of Leonidas|Leonidas' Spear of Eden]].<ref name="A Fresh Start"/> The Order of Ancients infiltrated the Greek institutions during the War but they were stopped by Kassandra who was helped by the Persian Proto-Assassin [[Darius]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[Legacy of the First Blade]]''</ref> Later Kassandra helped her father Pythagoras to seal the ruins of Atlantis and inherited the Staff of Hermes, becoming the Keeper, tracking Pieces of Eden through the World for twenty-six centuries, like the [[Treasure Hunter's Apple of Eden|Korfu's Apple of Eden]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Ancient Revelations]]</ref>


During the 5th century BCE, even through war, Greece stayed a beacon of culture with Athens as its first city. [[Sokrates]] and [[Plato]] developed Western philosophy with the Academy while [[Herodotos]] and [[Thucydides]] were dubbed as the Fathers of History.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' - [[Layla Hassan's personal files]]: "Herodotos and His Work"</ref> The poet [[Empedocles]] wrote in his ''[[On Nature]]'' his thoughts on human evolution while [[Hippokrates]] greatly contributed to medicine. In theatrical art, tragedies were represented through the plays of [[Aischylos]], [[Sophokles]], and [[Euripides]] while [[Aristophanes]] became the Father of Comedy, followed by [[Menander]] a century later.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]] – [[Tours: School of Greece - Theater]]: "The Greek Theater"</ref> In the 4th century BCE, the philosopher [[Aristotle]] was at the [[Makedonia]]n court of the king [[Philip II of Macedon|Philip II]] to tutor his son [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]]. He later established in Athens his school the Lykeion with an important library.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: School of Greece - Philosophy]]: "Classical Philosophers"</ref>
During the 5th century BCE, even through war, Greece stayed a beacon of culture with Athens as its first city. [[Sokrates]] and [[Plato]] developed Western philosophy with the Academy while [[Herodotos]] and [[Thucydides]] were dubbed as the Fathers of History.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' [[Layla Hassan's personal files]]: "Herodotos and His Work"</ref> The poet [[Empedocles]] wrote in his ''[[On Nature]]'' his thoughts on human evolution while [[Hippokrates]] greatly contributed to medicine. In theatrical art, tragedies were represented through the plays of [[Aischylos]], [[Sophokles]], and [[Euripides]] while [[Aristophanes]] became the Father of Comedy, followed by [[Menander]] a century later.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]] – [[Tours: School of Greece - Theater]]: "The Greek Theater"</ref> In the 4th century BCE, the philosopher [[Aristotle]] was at the [[Makedonia]]n court of the king [[Philip II of Macedon|Philip II]] to tutor his son [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]]. He later established in Athens his school the Lykeion with an important library.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: School of Greece - Philosophy]]: "Classical Philosophers"</ref>


[[File:DTAE Alexander the Great Mosaic.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Mosaic depicting Alexander the Great]]
[[File:DTAE Alexander the Great Mosaic.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Mosaic depicting Alexander the Great]]
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As the empire spread across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East, the Hidden Ones established [[Assassin bureau|bureaus]] to operate in Europe.<ref name="DB: HO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: The Hidden Ones]]</ref> The emperors were often targets of the Brotherhood. In 41 CE, [[Caligula]] was killed by the Hidden One [[Leonius]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Floating conversations]]: Unlocking Monteriggioni's Secrets</ref> By 122 CE, the Emperor [[Hadrian]] built a [[Hadrian's Wall|Great Wall]] in England and planned to lead a war against the northern native people. The Hidden One [[Caius (Hidden One)|Caius]] tried to assassinate the emperor, but he was discovered and killed. In 164 CE, the Brotherhood made a deal with Emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]] to retreat the Roman troops from the [[Antonine Wall]] to the Hadrian's Wall. In 211 CE, when the Emperor [[Septimius Severus]] broke the deal, the Hidden One [[Khloe (Hidden One)|Khloe]] killed him in his villa of [[York|Eboracum]].<ref name="A Brief History of the Hidden Ones">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Brief History of the Hidden Ones]]</ref>  
As the empire spread across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East, the Hidden Ones established [[Assassin bureau|bureaus]] to operate in Europe.<ref name="DB: HO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: The Hidden Ones]]</ref> The emperors were often targets of the Brotherhood. In 41 CE, [[Caligula]] was killed by the Hidden One [[Leonius]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Floating conversations]]: Unlocking Monteriggioni's Secrets</ref> By 122 CE, the Emperor [[Hadrian]] built a [[Hadrian's Wall|Great Wall]] in England and planned to lead a war against the northern native people. The Hidden One [[Caius (Hidden One)|Caius]] tried to assassinate the emperor, but he was discovered and killed. In 164 CE, the Brotherhood made a deal with Emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]] to retreat the Roman troops from the [[Antonine Wall]] to the Hadrian's Wall. In 211 CE, when the Emperor [[Septimius Severus]] broke the deal, the Hidden One [[Khloe (Hidden One)|Khloe]] killed him in his villa of [[York|Eboracum]].<ref name="A Brief History of the Hidden Ones">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Brief History of the Hidden Ones]]</ref>  


During the transition from the Republic to the Empire, the poet [[Virgil]] wrote the ''[[Aeneid]]'', the epic journey of the [[Troy|Trojan]] prince [[Aeneas]], strengthened the Roman identity.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Aeneid]]</ref> Roman civilization was greatly influenced by the Greek culture. [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses]]'' compiled Greek fables while the historian [[Plutarch]] make comparative biographies of Greek and Roman men in ''[[Parallel Lives]]''.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Parallel Lives]]</ref> The Greco-Egyptians also continued to influence Rome, like the historian [[Arrian]]  [[Anabasis Alexandri|writing about Alexander the Great's campaigns]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Anabasis Alexandri]]</ref> The scholar [[Ptolemy]], through his ''[[Geography]]'' and ''Almagest'', solidified geocentrism as the major astronomical model for centuries.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Geography]]</ref> The Berberian Roman [[Apuleius]] wrote ''[[The Golden Ass]]'', a precursor of "picaresque style".<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The Golden Ass]]</ref>  
During the transition from the Republic to the Empire, the poet [[Virgil]] wrote the ''[[Aeneid]]'', the epic journey of the [[Troy|Trojan]] prince [[Aeneas]], strengthened the Roman identity. Roman civilization was greatly influenced by the Greek culture. [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses]]'' compiled Greek fables while the historian [[Plutarch]] make comparative biographies of Greek and Roman men in ''[[Parallel Lives]]''.<ref name="ACR"/> The Greco-Egyptians also continued to influence Rome, like the historian [[Arrian]]  [[Anabasis Alexandri|writing about Alexander the Great's campaigns]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Anabasis Alexandri]]</ref> The scholar [[Ptolemy]], through his ''[[Geography]]'' and ''Almagest'', solidified geocentrism as the major astronomical model for centuries. The Berberian Roman [[Apuleius]] wrote ''[[The Golden Ass]]'', a precursor of "picaresque style".<ref name="ACR"/>  


[[File:Peter-Staff.jpg|thumb|150px|Representation of Peter with a Staff of Eden]]
[[File:Peter-Staff.jpg|thumb|150px|Representation of Peter with a Staff of Eden]]
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After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes filled the political vacuum, with the establishment of new kingdoms. In the late 5th century, when the Anglo-Saxons invaded England, [[Arthur Pendragon]] received the Sword of Eden [[Excalibur]] from the [[Women of the Mist]], a group of witch-warriors. Using its power, Arthur became the king of [[Britons]] and a leader of the Order of the Ancients. The Women of the Mist's agent Mordred tried to recover the Sword for himself, founding the [[Descendants of the Round Table]], but Arthur hid the Sword in an Isu vault. The Women of the Mist protected the vault, becoming an enemy of the Descendants.<ref name="Sword of the White Horse">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse]]''</ref>
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes filled the political vacuum, with the establishment of new kingdoms. In the late 5th century, when the Anglo-Saxons invaded England, [[Arthur Pendragon]] received the Sword of Eden [[Excalibur]] from the [[Women of the Mist]], a group of witch-warriors. Using its power, Arthur became the king of [[Britons]] and a leader of the Order of the Ancients. The Women of the Mist's agent Mordred tried to recover the Sword for himself, founding the [[Descendants of the Round Table]], but Arthur hid the Sword in an Isu vault. The Women of the Mist protected the vault, becoming an enemy of the Descendants.<ref name="Sword of the White Horse">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse]]''</ref>


In 536 CE, as Italy was under the control of the Ostrogoths, the Eastern Roman emperor [[Justinian I]] sent the generals [[Belisarius]] and [[Narses]] to conquer Rome. During the Gothic War, the Romans took Rome but the city was besieged numerous times by the Ostrogoth of [[Totila]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' - [[Database: Porta Asinaria]]</ref> Eventually, Italy became a part of the Byzantine Empire, but in the 7th century, after Lombard's invasion, Byzantine settlers took refuge in [[Venice]], establishing their own Republic.<ref name="DB: Venezia">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Database: Venezia]]</ref>
In 536 CE, as Italy was under the control of the Ostrogoths, the Eastern Roman emperor [[Justinian I]] sent the generals [[Belisarius]] and [[Narses]] to conquer Rome. During the Gothic War, the Romans took Rome but the city was besieged numerous times by the Ostrogoth of [[Totila]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' [[Database: Porta Asinaria]]</ref> Eventually, Italy became a part of the Byzantine Empire, but in the 7th century, after Lombard's invasion, Byzantine settlers took refuge in [[Venice]], establishing their own Republic.<ref name="DB: Venezia">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Database: Venezia]]</ref>


In parallel with the king and lords, the bishops served as representatives of the Roman Church across Europe dioceses. Even if they were chosen among the local elites, bishops sometimes entered into conflicts with civil powers.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Viking Age]]'' – [[Learnings: Bishops: A Divided Duty]]</ref> Monastic orders also flourished like the [[Benedictines]]. The monasteries served many roles in European society, greeting pilgrims, and dispensing education and care. Monasteries became also place for political meetings.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Viking Age]]'' – [[Learnings: Monasteries: Many Roles]]</ref>
In parallel with the king and lords, the bishops served as representatives of the Roman Church across Europe dioceses. Even if they were chosen among the local elites, bishops sometimes entered into conflicts with civil powers.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Viking Age]]'' – [[Learnings: Bishops: A Divided Duty]]</ref> Monastic orders also flourished like the [[Benedictines]]. The monasteries served many roles in European society, greeting pilgrims, and dispensing education and care. Monasteries became also place for political meetings.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Viking Age]]'' – [[Learnings: Monasteries: Many Roles]]</ref>


Between the 6th and the 7th century, the Anglo-Saxons established the [[Heptarchy]] with the kingdoms of [[Wessex]], [[Essex]], [[Sussex]], [[Kent]], [[East Anglia]], [[Mercia]] and [[Northumbria]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - [[Database: Saxons]]</ref> With the influence of Irish monks, the Anglo-Saxons adopted Christianism, as well as the [[Picts]] of [[Scotland]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - [[Database: Picts]]</ref> The [[Britons]] in [[Wales]] regularly fought with the Anglo-Saxons. During the late 8th century, Mercia was ruled by the Ancients [[Offa of Mercia|Offa]], who expanded his kingdom and built a linear military fortification known as the Offa's Dyke.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' - [[Database: Britons]]</ref> After his rule, the Ancient established one of their last stronghold in England, even reaching [[Scandinavia]].<ref name="DB: OotA"/>
Between the 6th and the 7th century, the Anglo-Saxons established the [[Heptarchy]] with the kingdoms of [[Wessex]], [[Essex]], [[Sussex]], [[Kent]], [[East Anglia]], [[Mercia]] and [[Northumbria]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' [[Database: Saxons]]</ref> With the influence of Irish monks, the Anglo-Saxons adopted Christianism, as well as the [[Picts]] of [[Scotland]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' [[Database: Picts]]</ref> The [[Britons]] in [[Wales]] regularly fought with the Anglo-Saxons. During the late 8th century, Mercia was ruled by the Ancients [[Offa of Mercia|Offa]], who expanded his kingdom and built a linear military fortification known as the Offa's Dyke.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' [[Database: Britons]]</ref> After his rule, the Ancient established one of their last stronghold in England, even reaching [[Scandinavia]].<ref name="DB: OotA"/>


In the early 8th century, after the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] nearly conquered all of [[Spain]], the last Christian states struck back. This led to the [[Reconquista]], opposing the Christian and the Muslim states in Spain for over seven centuries.<ref name="ACfilm">''[[Assassin's Creed (film)]]''</ref> After the [[Abbasid Revolution]] in 750, the Umayyad dynasty established the [[Emirate of Córdoba]].<ref name="DB: The Abbasids... and their Rivals">''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: The Abbasids ... and their Rivals]]</ref> Even if the Greeks and the Arabs were often at war, economic and cultural exchanges existed between the two populations.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: Baghdadi Exports]]</ref> Many Greek merchants and architects went to the Abbasid Caliphate and the manuscripts of Aristotle, Hippokrates, and Ptolemy influenced Middle Eastern philosophy, medicine and astronomy, contributing to the [[Islamic Golden Age]].<ref name="DB: Translation Movement">''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: Translation Movement]]</ref>
In the early 8th century, after the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] nearly conquered all of [[Spain]], the last Christian states struck back. This led to the [[Reconquista]], opposing the Christian and the Muslim states in Spain for over seven centuries.<ref name="ACfilm">''[[Assassin's Creed (film)]]''</ref> After the [[Abbasid Revolution]] in 750, the Umayyad dynasty established the [[Emirate of Córdoba]].<ref name="DB: The Abbasids... and their Rivals">''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: The Abbasids ... and their Rivals]]</ref> Even if the Greeks and the Arabs were often at war, economic and cultural exchanges existed between the two populations.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: Baghdadi Exports]]</ref> Many Greek merchants and architects went to the Abbasid Caliphate and the manuscripts of Aristotle, Hippokrates, and Ptolemy influenced Middle Eastern philosophy, medicine and astronomy, contributing to the [[Islamic Golden Age]].<ref name="DB: Translation Movement">''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: Translation Movement]]</ref>


[[File:ACV SoP Tapestry of Charlemagne's crowing.png|left|250px|thumb|Tapestry depicting Charlemagne]]
[[File:ACV SoP Tapestry of Charlemagne's crowing.png|left|250px|thumb|Tapestry depicting Charlemagne]]
In 756 CE, the bishop of Rome established the [[Papal States]], becoming the pope.<ref name="DB: Roma"/> As Rome and Constantinople were rivals for Christendom leadership, the pope [[Leo III]] allied with [[Charlemagne]], king of the Franks and secretly the leader of the Ancients. In 800, Leo crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Roman. The [[Carolingian Empire]] spread across France, Germany, and Northern Italy and was seen as a spiritual successor of the Western Roman Empire.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Francia]]</ref> Later, the empire was divided into three but the Ancients kept influence as the emperor [[Louis II of Italy]] was the leader of the Order in the mid-9th century.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Viking Expansion notes]]: Fulke's Journal</ref>
In 756 CE, the bishop of Rome established the [[Papal States]], becoming the pope.<ref name="DB: Roma"/> As Rome and Constantinople were rivals for Christendom leadership, the pope [[Leo III]] allied with [[Charlemagne]], king of the Franks and secretly the leader of the Ancients. In 800, Leo crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Roman. The [[Carolingian Empire]] spread across France, Germany, and Northern Italy and was seen as a spiritual successor of the Western Roman Empire.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Francia]]</ref> Later, the empire was divided into three but the Ancients kept influence as the emperor [[Louis II of Italy]] was the leader of the Order in the mid-9th century.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Viking Expansion notes]]: Fulke's Journal</ref>


====Viking Age====
====Viking Age====
[[File:ACV BB - Ragnar Lothbrok.jpg|thumb|250px|Ragnar Lothbrok]]
[[File:ACV BB - Ragnar Lothbrok.jpg|thumb|250px|Ragnar Lothbrok]]
In the late 8th century, the lack of arable land in [[Scandinavia]] led many Norses to leave their countries. As a seafaring people, Norse became settlers, and traders, but also [[Vikings]], raiding the coast to loot goods and made slaves.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Vikings]]</ref> The monastery of [[Lindisfarne]] was one of the first raided in 793 CE, beginning the [[Viking expansion]]. One of the most famous Vikings was [[Ragnar Lothbrok]], who [[Siege of Paris (845)|besieged Paris in 845]]. In the 850s, the Norwegian [[Ímar]] established the kingdom of [[Dublin]] in Ireland, which became an important trading hub under the rule of his son [[Bárid mac Ímair]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[Database: Bárid mac Ímair]]</ref>  
In the late 8th century, the lack of arable land in [[Scandinavia]] led many Norses to leave their countries. As a seafaring people, Norse became settlers, and traders, but also [[Vikings]], raiding the coast to loot goods and made slaves.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Vikings]]</ref> The monastery of [[Lindisfarne]] was one of the first raided in 793 CE, beginning the [[Viking expansion]]. One of the most famous Vikings was [[Ragnar Lothbrok]], who [[Siege of Paris (845)|besieged Paris in 845]]. In the 850s, the Norwegian [[Ímar]] established the kingdom of [[Dublin]] in Ireland, which became an important trading hub under the rule of his son [[Bárid mac Ímair]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[Database: Bárid mac Ímair]]</ref>  


In 852, the [[Varangians|Varangian]] [[Rurik]] built the city of [[Novgorod]] in in modern-day [[Russia]]. Sailing through the Danube, Varangians besieged Constantinople in 860. To stop them, the imperial family recruited them as personal guards, the [[Eagle Clan]] among them. In 867, the Order of the Ancients helped the Chambellan [[Basil I|Basil]] to assassinate the emperor [[Michael III]]. As Basil was the new emperor, the Order influenced him to kill his son [[Leo VI the Wise|Leo]], suspected to be Michael's son. The Varangian [[Thyra]] from the Eagle clan allied with the Hidden Ones [[Basim Ibn Ishaq]] and [[Hytham]] to protect Leo. They succeeded, killing the Ancients leader [[Isaac]], and Basil cutting his ties with the Order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Golden City]]''</ref> During this period, the Patriarch [[Photios I of Constantinople]] compiled in his ''[[Bibliotheca]]'' the review of 300 books.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Bibliotheca]]</ref>
In 852, the [[Varangians|Varangian]] [[Rurik]] built the city of [[Novgorod]] in in modern-day [[Russia]]. Sailing through the Danube, Varangians besieged Constantinople in 860. To stop them, the imperial family recruited them as personal guards, the [[Eagle Clan]] among them. In 867, the Order of the Ancients helped the Chambellan [[Basil I|Basil]] to assassinate the emperor [[Michael III]]. As Basil was the new emperor, the Order influenced him to kill his son [[Leo VI the Wise|Leo]], suspected to be Michael's son. The Varangian [[Thyra]] from the Eagle clan allied with the Hidden Ones [[Basim Ibn Ishaq]] and [[Hytham]] to protect Leo. They succeeded, killing the Ancients leader [[Isaac]], and Basil cutting his ties with the Order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Golden City]]''</ref> During this period, the Patriarch [[Photios I of Constantinople]] compiled in his ''[[Bibliotheca]]'' the review of 300 books.<ref name="ACR"/>


[[File:ACV BB - Aella - Blood eagle.jpg|thumb|100px|left|Aella subjected to the blood eagle]]
[[File:ACV BB - Aella - Blood eagle.jpg|thumb|100px|left|Aella subjected to the blood eagle]]
In 865, Lothbrok raided the kingdom of Northumbria ruled by the Ancient Ælla. After Ælla executed Lothbrok, the [[Sons of Ragnar]] invaded England with the [[Great Heathen Army]] to conquer it. When they killed Ælla, Northumbria became a vassal of the Ragnarssons. East Anglia knew the same fate after the murder of the king [[Edmund the Martyr]]. As the [[Great Summer Army]] led by [[Guthrum]] expanded in Mercia, Wessex, ruled by the [[Grand Maegester of the Order of the Ancients|Grand Maegester of the Ancients]] [[Æthelwulf, King of Wessex|Æthelwulf]] and later his sons [[Æthelred I, King of Wessex|Æthelred]] and [[Alfred the Great]], fought the Viking expansion. <ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Blood Brothers]]''</ref> The Picts and Britons also entered into war against the Norse.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[War Weary]]</ref>
In 865, Lothbrok raided the kingdom of Northumbria ruled by the Ancient Ælla. After Ælla executed Lothbrok, the [[Sons of Ragnar]] invaded England with the [[Great Heathen Army]] to conquer it. When they killed Ælla, Northumbria became a vassal of the Ragnarssons. East Anglia knew the same fate after the murder of the king [[Edmund the Martyr]]. As the [[Great Summer Army]] led by [[Guthrum]] expanded in Mercia, Wessex, ruled by the [[Grand Maegester of the Order of the Ancients|Grand Maegester of the Ancients]] [[Æthelwulf, King of Wessex|Æthelwulf]] and later his sons [[Æthelred I, King of Wessex|Æthelred]] and [[Alfred the Great]], fought the Viking expansion. <ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Blood Brothers]]''</ref> The Picts and Britons also entered into war against the Norse.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[War Weary]]</ref>


During this period, the Æsir's [[Isu incarnation]]s appeared, such as Thor's incarnation [[Halfdan Ragnarsson]] and Freyr's as [[Harald Fairhair]], uniting all Norway.<ref name="Fare Thee Well, King Fair-Hair">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Fare Thee Well, King Fair-Hair]]</ref> Tyr's and Odin's incarnations were [[Sigurd Styrbjornsson]] and [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] from the [[Raven Clan]]. As they fought the Ancient [[Kjotve the Cruel]], they allied with Basim and Hytham.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Cruel Destiny]]</ref> After Kjotve's death, the Hidden Ones followed the Raven Clan in their settling of [[Ravensthorpe]] in Mercia, establishing the bureau for the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Hidden Ones]].<ref name="To Serve the Light...">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[To Serve the Light...]]</ref> Unknown to them, Basim was Loki's incarnation and tried to take his revenge on Odin but it ultimately failed after he was trapped in Yggdrasil's simulations for centuries.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Brother's Keeper]]</ref>
During this period, the Æsir's [[Isu incarnation]]s appeared, such as Thor's incarnation [[Halfdan Ragnarsson]] and Freyr's as [[Harald Fairhair]], uniting all Norway.<ref name="Fare Thee Well, King Fair-Hair">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Fare Thee Well, King Fair-Hair]]</ref> Tyr's and Odin's incarnations were [[Sigurd Styrbjornsson]] and [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] from the [[Raven Clan]]. As they fought the Ancient [[Kjotve the Cruel]], they allied with Basim and Hytham.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Cruel Destiny]]</ref> After Kjotve's death, the Hidden Ones followed the Raven Clan in their settling of [[Ravensthorpe]] in Mercia, establishing the bureau for the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Hidden Ones]].<ref name="To Serve the Light...">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[To Serve the Light...]]</ref> Unknown to them, Basim was Loki's incarnation and tried to take his revenge on Odin but it ultimately failed after he was trapped in Yggdrasil's simulations for centuries.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Brother's Keeper]]</ref>


[[File:ACV Holy Day 21.png|thumb|250px|The Battle of Chippenham]]
[[File:ACV Holy Day 21.png|thumb|250px|The Battle of Chippenham]]
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While the Ancients were collapsing, other secret organizations were active in the British Isles. As Eivor recovered Excalibur, both the Descendants of the Round Table and the Women of the Mist tried to steal the Sword of Eden. The Hidden Ones allied with the witch warriors after  [[Niamh of Argyll]] infiltrated their ranks. Hytham orchestrated a sacrifice of an Excalibur's copy to fool the Descendants while granting the Piece of Eden to the Women of the Mist.<ref name="Sword of the White Horse"/> In Scotland, a Christian sect led by [[Saint Columba the Reborn]] used the [[Codex of Eden]] to convert the population. Both Hidden Ones and Templars took interest in the group. Their headquarters in the [[Loch Ness Temple]] was flooded by the Hidden Ones while the Templars recovered fragments of the Codex.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Hidden Codex]]''</ref>
While the Ancients were collapsing, other secret organizations were active in the British Isles. As Eivor recovered Excalibur, both the Descendants of the Round Table and the Women of the Mist tried to steal the Sword of Eden. The Hidden Ones allied with the witch warriors after  [[Niamh of Argyll]] infiltrated their ranks. Hytham orchestrated a sacrifice of an Excalibur's copy to fool the Descendants while granting the Piece of Eden to the Women of the Mist.<ref name="Sword of the White Horse"/> In Scotland, a Christian sect led by [[Saint Columba the Reborn]] used the [[Codex of Eden]] to convert the population. Both Hidden Ones and Templars took interest in the group. Their headquarters in the [[Loch Ness Temple]] was flooded by the Hidden Ones while the Templars recovered fragments of the Codex.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Hidden Codex]]''</ref>


In Ireland, as Christianisation progressed, the druid culture faded out. In this context, the [[Children of Danu]] emerged, a secret society dedicated to defending the Gaelic culture through violent ways, practicing sacrifices, and using hallucinogens to spread fear among Christians and Norse.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[Database: The Children of Danu]]</ref> By 879, the Children were led by [[Eogan mac Cartaigh]] who pretended to be a dedicated Christian priest. The Children planned to assassinate the High King [[Flann Sinna]] to destabilize Ireland but they failed and were eliminated by Eivor.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[A Scourging of Snakes]]</ref> Their actions led to further persecution against the druid by the Christians.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[The Cost of Betrayal]]</ref>
In Ireland, as Christianization progressed, the druid culture faded out. In this context, the [[Children of Danu]] emerged, a secret society dedicated to defending the Gaelic culture through violent ways, practicing sacrifices, and using hallucinogens to spread fear among Christians and Norse.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[Database: The Children of Danu]]</ref> By 879, the Children were led by [[Eogan mac Cartaigh]] who pretended to be a dedicated Christian priest. The Children planned to assassinate the High King [[Flann Sinna]] to destabilize Ireland but they failed and were eliminated by Eivor.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[A Scourging of Snakes]]</ref> Their actions led to further persecution against the druid by the Christians.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[The Cost of Betrayal]]</ref>


[[File:ACV The Siege of Paris 1.png|thumb|250px|left|Vikings raiding Paris' street]]
[[File:ACV The Siege of Paris 1.png|thumb|250px|left|Vikings raiding Paris' street]]
In the 880s, the Carolingian empire was once again unified under [[Charles the Fat]] who had a troubled mind. The zealous Christian sect known as the [[Bellatores Dei]] believed that Francia fell in apostasy and influenced Charles to restore order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Database: Bellatores Dei]]</ref> By 886, they tried to eliminate his wife [[Richardis]] and killed the jarl [[Sinric]] of the [[Elgring Clan]]. Sinric's brother [[Sigfred]] led the [[Siege of Paris (885-886)|Siege of Paris]] with the help of Eivor and the Raven Clan. Despite Count [[Odo of France|Odo]] and some Bellatores members leading the city's defenses, the Vikings stormed Paris.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[The Siege of Paris (memory)|The Siege of Paris]]</ref> Eivor and Odo made a truce to spare the citizens while Charles paid the Elgring Clan to leave, weakening his leadership.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[The Count of Paris]]</ref> Later, Eivor eliminated the Bellatores, saving Richardis and defeating Charles in a duel.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Madness of King Charles]]</ref> In 887, Charles was deposed and Odo became the king of Western Francia, leading to the collapse of the Carolingian empire.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Eivor's letters]]</ref>
In the 880s, the Carolingian empire was once again unified under [[Charles the Fat]] who had a troubled mind. The zealous Christian sect known as the [[Bellatores Dei]] believed that Francia fell in apostasy and influenced Charles to restore order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Database: Bellatores Dei]]</ref> By 886, they tried to eliminate his wife [[Richardis]] and killed the jarl [[Sinric]] of the [[Elgring Clan]]. Sinric's brother [[Sigfred]] led the [[Siege of Paris (885-886)|Siege of Paris]] with the help of Eivor and the Raven Clan. Despite Count [[Odo of France|Odo]] and some Bellatores members leading the city's defenses, the Vikings stormed Paris.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[The Siege of Paris (memory)|The Siege of Paris]]</ref> Eivor and Odo made a truce to spare the citizens while Charles paid the Elgring Clan to leave, weakening his leadership.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[The Count of Paris]]</ref> Later, Eivor eliminated the Bellatores, saving Richardis and defeating Charles in a duel.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Madness of King Charles]]</ref> In 887, Charles was deposed and Odo became the king of Western Francia, leading to the collapse of the Carolingian empire.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Siege of Paris]]'' – [[Eivor's letters]]</ref>


On the [[Isle of Skye]], an [[Isle of Skye's Apple of Eden|Apple of Eden]] activated itself on the arrival of the Keeper Kassandra, plaguing the island's population with by horrible nightmares and leading them to madness.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed Crossover Stories]]'' – [[Night and Day]]</ref> With Eivor's help, Kassandra recovered the artifact, ending the illusions.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed Crossover Stories]]'' – [[What Dreams May Come]]</ref> Near Ravensthorpe, the Eden Ring Station's generators began to produce energy but had no outlet for it, risking a discharge that would wipe out all life on Britain. The [[Rah Cel'eze (artificial intelligence)|Rah Cel'eze's AI]] contacted Eivor, who solved the situation by removing [[The Blazing Sword]], shutting down the station.<ref name="Tomb of the Fallen"/>
On the [[Isle of Skye]], an [[Isle of Skye's Apple of Eden|Apple of Eden]] activated itself on the arrival of the Keeper Kassandra, plaguing the island's population with by horrible nightmares and leading them to madness.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Assassin's Creed Crossover Stories]]'' – [[Night and Day]]</ref> With Eivor's help, Kassandra recovered the artifact, ending the illusions.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Assassin's Creed Crossover Stories]]'' – [[What Dreams May Come]]</ref> Near Ravensthorpe, the Eden Ring Station's generators began to produce energy but had no outlet for it, risking a discharge that would wipe out all life on Britain. The [[Rah Cel'eze (artificial intelligence)|Rah Cel'eze's AI]] contacted Eivor, who solved the situation by removing [[The Blazing Sword]], shutting down the station.<ref name="Tomb of the Fallen"/>


During the 10th century, the [[Fatimid Caliphate]] took control of Sicily. In 929, the emir of Cordoba Abd al-Rahman III founded a caliphate over Spain and Maghrib, challenging the Abbasids of Baghdad.<ref name="DB: The Abbasids... and their Rivals"/> In the 11th century, Europeans had access to papermaking by the Arabs.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: Papermaking]]</ref>
During the 10th century, the [[Fatimid Caliphate]] took control of Sicily. In 929, the emir of Cordoba Abd al-Rahman III founded a caliphate over Spain and Maghrib, challenging the Abbasids of Baghdad.<ref name="DB: The Abbasids... and their Rivals"/> In the 11th century, Europeans had access to papermaking by the Arabs.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[Database: Papermaking]]</ref>
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====High Middle Age====
====High Middle Age====
By the 11th century, European Christendom was divided into two, the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Churches in the East. In 1095, at the Council of Clermont, the pope [[Urban II]] initiated the [[First Crusade]] to recover the Holy Land from Muslim rule. <ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: A Walk Through History (1189-1868)]]'' – Chapter 1: The Third Crusade – Historical Overview: The Rise of Saladin</ref> Peasants, and later lords and knights, participated to the [[Siege of Jerusalem (1099)|siege]] [[Jerusalem]] in 1099, establishing the Crusader states for two centuries.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Initiates#Timeline|Timeline]]: 1099 – "Siege of Jerusalem"</ref>
By the 11th century, European Christendom was divided into two, the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Churches in the East. In 1095, at the Council of Clermont, the pope [[Urban II]] initiated the [[First Crusade]] to recover the Holy Land from Muslim rule. <ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: A Walk Through History (1189-1868)]]'' – Chapter 1: The Third Crusade – Historical Overview: The Rise of Saladin</ref> Peasants, and later lords and knights, participated to the [[Siege of Jerusalem (1099)|siege]] [[Jerusalem]] in 1099, establishing the Crusader states for two centuries.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – Timeline</ref>
 
[[File:Hugh de Payns.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Hughes de Payens, Grand Master of the Templar Order]]
[[File:Hugh de Payns.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Hughes de Payens, Grand Master of the Templar Order]]
In this context, many military orders were created to protect the pilgrims, the [[Knights Hospitalier]] among them. During the council of Troyes in 1129, with the support of [[Bernard de Clairvaux]], the Templars were officially recognized as the Knights Templars with [[Hugues de Payens]] as their Grand Master. They established strongholds in the Middle East but also in Europe, becoming an important economic infrastructure in Christendom. During this time they fought the [[Assassins]], a reformed Hidden Ones Brotherhood that established a state in the Middle East.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]] File.0.03\Hst_GoldenAge</ref>
In this context, many military orders were created to protect the pilgrims, the [[Knights Hospitalier]] among them. During the council of Troyes in 1129, with the support of [[Bernard de Clairvaux]], the Templars were officially recognized as the Knights Templars with [[Hugues de Payens]] as their Grand Master. They established strongholds in the Middle East but also in Europe, becoming an important economic infrastructure in Christendom. During this time they fought the [[Assassins]], a reformed Hidden Ones Brotherhood that established a state in the Middle East.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]]: "File.0.03\Hst_GoldenAge"</ref>


In the 12th century, reality and fiction were sometimes blurred in writing. [[Geoffrey of Monmouth]] wrote the pseudo-historical ''[[The History of the Kings of Britain|History of the Kings of Britain]]'', claiming to use earlier sources.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The History of the Kings of Britain]]</ref> The pre-Christian Germanic poem ''[[Nibelungenlied]]'' was written in Germany.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Nibelungenlied]]</ref> The ''[[Digenes Akritas]]'' told the epic story of Basil during the Arab-Byzantine wars.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Digenes Akritas]]</ref> During the 13th century, the Aberdeen Bestiary was written, representing mythical creatures while the Icelandic scholar [[Snorri Sturluson]] wrote the ''[[Heimskringla]]'', a collection of Old Norse sagas.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Heimskringla]]</ref>
In the 12th century, reality and fiction were sometimes blurred in writing. [[Geoffrey of Monmouth]] wrote ''[[The History of the Kings of Britain]]'', a pseudo-historical work claiming to use earlier sources. The pre-Christian Germanic poem ''[[Nibelungenlied]]'' was written in Germany. The ''[[Digenes Akritas]]'' told the epic story of Basil during the Arab-Byzantine wars. During the 13th century, the Aberdeen Bestiary was written, representing mythical creatures while the Icelandic scholar [[Snorri Sturluson]] wrote the ''[[Heimskringla]]'', a collection of Old Norse sagas.<ref name="ACR"/>


In 1202, during the [[Fourth Crusade]], Venice's fleet transported the Crusaders, leading to the sack of Constantinople in 1204. This shattered the Byzantine Empire, the Crusaders established the Latin Empire in Greece and Venice took many islands of the [[Aegean Sea]], and Venetian and Genoan merchants settled in Constantinople.<ref name="DB: Constantinople">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Constantinople]]</ref>  During this time, the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine]] [[Mentor]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] failed to establish a guild due to the sack, but in 1257, he sent the Venetian explorer brothers [[Niccolò Polo|Niccolò]] and [[Maffeo Polo]], who succeeded.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref> In 1261, the Latin emperor was expelled from Constantinople and [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]] established back the Byzantine Empire but only a fraction of its former land.<ref name="DB: Constantinople"/> In 1269, the Polo brothers established an Assassins guild in Venice.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Encyclopedia]]''</ref>
In 1202, during the [[Fourth Crusade]], Venice's fleet transported the Crusaders, leading to the sack of Constantinople in 1204. This shattered the Byzantine Empire, the Crusaders established the Latin Empire in Greece and Venice took many islands of the [[Aegean Sea]], and Venetian and Genoan merchants settled in Constantinople.<ref name="DB: Constantinople">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Constantinople]]</ref>  During this time, the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine]] [[Mentor]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] failed to establish a guild due to the sack, but in 1257, he sent the Venetian explorer brothers [[Niccolò Polo|Niccolò]] and [[Maffeo Polo]], who succeeded.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref> In 1261, the Latin emperor was expelled from Constantinople and [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]] established back the Byzantine Empire but only a fraction of its former land.<ref name="DB: Constantinople"/> In 1269, the Polo brothers established an Assassins guild in Venice.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Encyclopedia]]''</ref>
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[[File:AC4BF Epistola de Magnete.png|thumb|250px|A page of ''Epistola de Magnete'']]
[[File:AC4BF Epistola de Magnete.png|thumb|250px|A page of ''Epistola de Magnete'']]
Between the 12th and 13th centuries, thanks to Arabic translations, Europe had access to Greek and [[India]]n philosophical and mathematical knowledge.<ref name="DB: Translation Movement"/> Scientific fields evolved, like magnetism with the ''Epistola de Magnete'' while the philosopher [[Roger Bacon]] compiled in his ''[[Opus Majus]]'' and ''Opus Minus'' treatises on natural science, mathematics, grammar, physics, optics, and philosophy for the pope [[Clement IV]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Aberdeen Bestiary" (Phoenix Detail)]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Opus Majus]]</ref>
Between the 12th and 13th centuries, thanks to Arabic translations, Europe had access to Greek and [[India]]n philosophical and mathematical knowledge.<ref name="DB: Translation Movement"/> Scientific fields evolved, like magnetism with the ''Epistola de Magnete'', while the philosopher [[Roger Bacon]] compiled in his ''[[Opus Majus]]'' and ''Opus Minus'' treatises on natural science, mathematics, grammar, physics, optics, and philosophy for Pope [[Clement IV]].<ref name="ACR"/>


By the mid 13th century, the [[Mongol Empire]] expanded in Eastern Europe. In 1241, the Mongol army defeated Poland in the [[Battle of Legnica]]. During the battle, the prince [[Möngke Khan]] captured a Templar who introduced him to the Order, creating the [[Mongolian Rite of  the Templar Order|Mongolian Rite]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan]]''</ref> During this time, the Grand Prince of Vladimir [[Alexander Nevsky]] paid tribute to the [[Golden Horn]] to protect his country. In 1263, the [[Mongolian Brotherhood of Assassins|Mongolian Assassin]] [[Nergüi]] killed Nevsky believing that his alliance with the Mongols hid something else.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Memories]]'' - [[Alexander Nevsky (memory)|Alexander Nevsky]]</ref> Accompanying his father and uncle at [[Kublai Khan]]'s court, the Assassin [[Marco Polo]] recovered [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex]] and brought it to Venice. He wrote an [[The Travels of Marco Polo|exaggerated account]] of his 20 years in the Far East.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The Travels of Marco Polo]]</ref> Polo was also acquainted with the Florentine Assassin [[Dante Alighieri]] who wrote the ''Divine Comedy''.<ref name="Paying Respect">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Paying Respects]]</ref>
By the mid 13th century, the [[Mongol Empire]] expanded in Eastern Europe. In 1241, the Mongol army defeated Poland in the [[Battle of Legnica]]. During the battle, the prince [[Möngke Khan]] captured a Templar who introduced him to the Order, creating the [[Mongolian Rite of  the Templar Order|Mongolian Rite]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan]]''</ref> During this time, the Grand Prince of Vladimir [[Alexander Nevsky]] paid tribute to the [[Golden Horn]] to protect his country. In 1263, the [[Mongolian Brotherhood of Assassins|Mongolian Assassin]] [[Nergüi]] killed Nevsky believing that his alliance with the Mongols hid something else.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Memories]]'' [[Alexander Nevsky (memory)|Alexander Nevsky]]</ref> Accompanying his father and uncle at [[Kublai Khan]]'s court, the Assassin [[Marco Polo]] recovered [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex]] and brought it to Venice. He wrote an [[The Travels of Marco Polo|exaggerated account]] of his 20 years in the Far East.<ref name="ACR"/> Polo was also acquainted with the Italian Assassin [[Dante Alighieri]] who wrote the ''Divine Comedy''.<ref name="Paying Respect">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Paying Respects]]</ref>


[[File:Tragedy of Jacques de Molay 15.png|thumb|250px|left|Jacques de Molay burning at the stake before King Philip IV and Pope Clement V]]
[[File:Tragedy of Jacques de Molay 15.png|thumb|250px|left|Jacques de Molay burning at the stake before King Philip IV and Pope Clement V]]
In 1291, [[Acre]] was captured by the [[Mamluks]], ending the Crusader States. The Templars retreated to Europe, choosing as Grand Master [[Jacques de Molay]], a [[Sage]] of the Isu [[Aita]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' - [[Database: Jacques de Molay]]</ref> In 1307, the Mentor of the [[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins|French Assassins]] [[Guillaume de Nogaret]] manipulated the King [[Philip IV of France]] and pope [[Clement V]] to arrest the Templar Order. On the night of the 13th of October, the [[Temple (Paris)|Temple of Paris]] was stormed by Assassins disguised as Flemish mercenaries, and the Grand Master was arrested.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' - [[The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay]]</ref> While the Assassins tracked the last Templars in Europe, de Molay taught to nine of his lieutenants the secrets of the Order and tasked them to reform the Templars as a secret organization. In 1314, the Grand Master was burnt at the stake, officially ending the Templar Order while in fact returning in the shadows.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]] File.0.06\Hst_VoxInExcelso</ref>
In 1291, [[Acre]] was captured by the [[Mamluks]], ending the Crusader States. The Templars retreated to Europe, choosing as Grand Master [[Jacques de Molay]], a [[Sage]] of the Isu [[Aita]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' [[Database: Jacques de Molay]]</ref> In 1307, the Mentor of the [[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins|French Assassins]] [[Guillaume de Nogaret]] manipulated the King [[Philip IV of France]] and pope [[Clement V]] to arrest the Templar Order. On the night of the 13th of October, the [[Temple (Paris)|Temple of Paris]] was stormed by Assassins disguised as Flemish mercenaries, and the Grand Master was arrested.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' [[The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay]]</ref> While the Assassins tracked the last Templars in Europe, de Molay taught to nine of his lieutenants the secrets of the Order and tasked them to reform the Templars as a secret organization. In 1314, the Grand Master was burnt at the stake, officially ending the Templar Order while in fact returning in the shadows.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]]: "File.0.06\Hst_VoxInExcelso"</ref>


In the 1320s, the Templars killed Aligheri and Polo. Dante's pupil, [[Domenico Auditore|Domenico]] dispatched the pages of Altaïr Codex in a cargo, preventing the Templars from recovering it. Later, he relocated to the [[Siena]]n city of [[Monteriggioni]] which became the headquarters of the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins]], and founded the noble [[House of Auditore]].<ref name="Paying Respect"/>
In the 1320s, the Templars killed Aligheri and Polo. Dante's pupil, [[Domenico Auditore|Domenico]] dispatched the pages of Altaïr Codex in a cargo, preventing the Templars from recovering it. Later, he relocated to the [[Siena]]n city of [[Monteriggioni]] which became the headquarters of the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins]], and founded the noble [[House of Auditore]].<ref name="Paying Respect"/>


====Late Middle Ages====
====Late Middle Ages====
[[File:Brothers of the Cross.png|thumb|250px|The Brothers of the Cross during the plague]]
[[File:ACCR DYL Brothers of the Cross.png|thumb|250px|The Brothers of the Cross during the plague]]
The Late Middle Ages were a turbulent time for Europe, struck first by the Great Famine (1315-1322), and then by [[Black Death]] between 1346 and 1353, killing hundreds of millions.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[Database: 21. Medieval]]</ref> In 1350, the Templars posed as the [[Brothers of the Cross]], traveling across the Holy Roman Empire, promising protection from the disease while searching for the [[Ankh]], a Piece of Eden in [[Essen]]. The group mysteriously vanished as well as the Assassin [[Lukas  Zurburg]].<ref name="DYL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Discover Your Legacy]]''</ref>
The Late Middle Ages were a turbulent time for Europe, struck first by the Great Famine (1315-1322), and then by [[Black Death]] between 1346 and 1353, killing hundreds of millions.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[Database: 21. Medieval]]</ref> In 1350, the Templars posed as the [[Brothers of the Cross]], traveling across the Holy Roman Empire, promising protection from the disease while searching for the [[Ankh]], a Piece of Eden in [[Essen]]. The group mysteriously vanished as well as the Assassin [[Lukas  Zurburg]].<ref name="DYL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Discover Your Legacy]]''</ref>


During the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in Middle English ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]'', a collection stories detailing the lives and concerns of a group of Christian pilgrims making their way to [[Canterbury Cathedral]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The Canterbury Tales]]</ref>
During the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in Middle English ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]'', a collection stories detailing the lives and concerns of a group of Christian pilgrims making their way to [[Canterbury Cathedral]].<ref name="ACR"/>


[[File:ACH Jeanne render.png|thumb|150px|left|Jeanne d'Arc with the Sword of Eden]]
[[File:ACH Jeanne render.png|thumb|150px|left|Jeanne d'Arc with the Sword of Eden]]
Between 1337 and 1453, the French House of Valois and the English House of Plantagenet fought in the [[Hundred Years' War]] for the throne of France. In the late stage of the conflict, the Templars had among them the [[John, Duke of Bedford|Duke John of Bedford]], regent in France for [[Henry VI of England]], the Duke [[Philip III of Burgundy]]and the chamberlain [[Georges de la Trémoille]]. The three Templars plotted to control the weak-willed [[Charles VII of France]] but his mother-in-law [[Yolande of Aragon]], Mentor of the French Assassins, thwarted their plan. She recruited [[Jeanne d'Arc]], a peasant with a high rate of Isu DNA and possessing a [[Sword of Eden 1|Sword of Eden]]. With the artifact, she led the French army to victory, strengthening Charles's legitimacy. In 1430, the Templars captured Jeanne, recovering the Sword and condemning her to be burned at the stake. The Assassins secretly saved her.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Heresy]]''</ref>
Between 1337 and 1453, the French House of Valois and the English House of Plantagenet fought in the [[Hundred Years' War]] for the throne of France. In the late stage of the conflict, the Templars had among them the [[John, Duke of Bedford|Duke John of Bedford]], regent in France for [[Henry VI of England]], the Duke [[Philip III of Burgundy]]and the chamberlain [[Georges de la Trémoille]]. The three Templars plotted to control the weak-willed [[Charles VII of France]] but his mother-in-law [[Yolande of Aragon]], Mentor of the French Assassins, thwarted their plan. She recruited [[Jeanne d'Arc]], a peasant with a high rate of Isu DNA and possessing a [[Sword of Eden 1|Sword of Eden]]. With the artifact, she led the French army to victory, strengthening Charles's legitimacy. In 1430, the Templars captured Jeanne, recovering the Sword and condemning her to be burned at the stake. The Assassins secretly saved her.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Heresy]]''</ref>


In 1301, the Byzantine Empire was defeated at the Battle of Bapheus by Muslim Turks led by [[Osman I]]. Expanding on the Byzantine territories in Anatolia and Thrace, Osman I founded the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name="DB: Ottomans"/> In 1397, Sultan [[Bayezid I]] tried to conquer Constantinople but failed. To counter the Ottoman threat, the Byzantine emperors tried to ally with the Catholic West but this was limited. During the conflict, The Byzantines hired Spanish mercenaries like the [[Almogavars]] to fight the Turks. Among them was [[Ramon Muntaner]] who wrote his ''[[Cronica]]'' about the defense of Constantinople.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Cronica]]</ref> Through the dervshirme system, the Ottoman enrolled slave Christian boys from the Balkan to serve as [[Janissaries]], their elite soldiers.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Janissaries]]</ref>
In 1301, the Byzantine Empire was defeated at the Battle of Bapheus by Muslim Turks led by [[Osman I]]. Expanding on the Byzantine territories in Anatolia and Thrace, Osman I founded the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name="DB: Ottomans"/> In 1397, Sultan [[Bayezid I]] tried to conquer Constantinople but failed. To counter the Ottoman threat, the Byzantine emperors tried to ally with the Catholic West but this was limited. During the conflict, The Byzantines hired Spanish mercenaries like the [[Almogavars]] to fight the Turks. Among them was [[Ramon Muntaner]] who wrote his ''[[Cronica]]'' about the defense of Constantinople.<ref name="ACR"/> Through the dervshirme system, the Ottoman enrolled slave Christian boys from the Balkan to serve as [[Janissaries]], their elite soldiers.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Janissaries]]</ref>
 
In 1453, the Sultan [[Mehmet II]], wielding an [[Apple of Eden 6|Apple of Eden]], [[Fall of Constantinople|conquered Constantinople]] ending the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="DB: Byzantines"/> Even if many churches of the city were transformed into mosques, the Ottoman authorized Orthodox to stay in the city, Constantinople becoming the cosmopolitan capital of the Empire.<ref name="DB: Ottomans">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Ottomans]]</ref> During their expansion, the Ottomans entered into conflict with Wallachia and the [[Republic of Venice]]. At some point, the Mentor and Grand Vizier [[Ishak Pasha]] forged a peace with the Empire, permitting the Brotherhood to flourish in Constantinople.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – [[Database: Ishak Pasha]]</ref> The Valencian [[Joanot Martorell]] wrote ''[[Tirant lo Blanch]]'', a romance novel set in the Byzantine empire, full of sensuous vitality, chivalrous daring, and good humor.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Tirant lo Blanch]]</ref>  


In 1453, the Sultan [[Mehmet II]], wielding an [[Apple of Eden 6|Apple of Eden]], [[Fall of Constantinople|conquered Constantinople]] ending the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="DB: Byzantines"/> Even if many churches of the city were transformed into mosques, the Ottoman authorized Orthodox to stay in the city, Constantinople becoming the cosmopolitan capital of the Empire.<ref name="DB: Ottomans">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Ottomans]]</ref> During their expansion, the Ottomans entered into conflict with Wallachia and the [[Republic of Venice]]. At some point, the Mentor and Grand Vizier [[Ishak Pasha]] forged a peace with the Empire, permitting the Brotherhood to flourish in Constantinople.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – [[Database: Ishak Pasha]]</ref> The Valencian [[Joanot Martorell]] wrote ''[[Tirant lo Blanch]]'', a romance novel set in the Byzantine empire, full of sensuous vitality, chivalrous daring, and good humor.<ref name="ACR"/>
[[File:Firenzelineage.png|250px|thumb|Florence, heart of Italian Renaissance]]
[[File:Firenzelineage.png|250px|thumb|Florence, heart of Italian Renaissance]]
By the 14th century, Italian city-states became the cradle of the [[Renaissance]], an intellectual and artistic cultural movement emulating the revival of classical Greco-Roman studies and also the new philosophy of humanism.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]"</ref> The creation of the printing press by [[Johannes Gutenberg]] in 1439 in Strasbourg permitted the mass production of books and the spreading of Renaissance ideas across Europe.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – [[Database: The Printing Press]]</ref> The Republic of Venice became one of the wealthiest cities in the world thanks to its fleet, even defeating the Republic of Genoa on the sea.<ref name="DB: Venezia"/> In the [[Republic of Florence]], its leading statesman [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] sponsored many artists such as [[Leonardo da Vinci]] and [[Michelangelo]], and the city became the center of the Renaissance.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Database: Firenze (Assassin's Creed II)|Database: Firenze]]</ref> In 1460, the Hermeticist teaching was rediscovered through the work of [[Marsilio Ficino]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' – [[Database: Hermeticists]]</ref>
By the 14th century, Italian city-states became the cradle of the [[Renaissance]], an intellectual and artistic cultural movement emulating the revival of classical Greco-Roman studies and also the new philosophy of humanism.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]"</ref> The creation of the printing press by [[Johannes Gutenberg]] in 1439 in Strasbourg permitted the mass production of books and the spreading of Renaissance ideas across Europe.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – [[Database: The Printing Press]]</ref> The Republic of Venice became one of the wealthiest cities in the world thanks to its fleet, even defeating the Republic of Genoa on the sea.<ref name="DB: Venezia"/> In the [[Republic of Florence]], its leading statesman [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] sponsored many artists such as [[Leonardo da Vinci]] and [[Michelangelo]], and the city became the center of the Renaissance.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Database: Firenze (Assassin's Creed II)|Database: Firenze]]</ref> In 1460, the Hermeticist teaching was rediscovered through the work of [[Marsilio Ficino]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' – [[Database: Hermeticists]]</ref>


During this period, the [[Roman Rite of the Templar Order|Roman Templars]] led by Grand Master [[Rodrigo Borgia]] planned to unify Italy under their banner. As they supported the [[House of Pazzi]]'s [[Pazzi conspiracy|plot]] to control [[Florence]] and the [[House of Barbarigo]]'s [[Venetian conspiracy|scheme]] to claim [[Venice]], the Italian Assassins led by the House of Auditore thwarted their plans. The two factions also searched Altaïr's Codex pages to localize an [[Vatican Vault|Isu vault in Italy]]. In 1488, the Templars brought Mehmet II's Apple of Eden from [[Cyprus]] to Venice but the Assassins took it.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Play Along]]</ref> While escorting it to [[Forli]], the Templars led an [[Battle of Forli|attack]] on the city. The two groups lost the artifact as the monk [[Girolamo Savonarola]] took the Apple.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Battle of Forlì]]'' – [[Checcomate]]</ref>
During this period, the [[Roman Rite of the Templar Order|Roman Templars]] led by Grand Master [[Rodrigo Borgia]] planned to unify Italy under their banner. As they supported the [[House of Pazzi]]'s [[Pazzi conspiracy|plot]] to control [[Florence]] and the [[House of Barbarigo]]'s [[Venetian conspiracy|scheme]] to claim [[Venice]], the Italian Assassins led by the House of Auditore thwarted their plans. The two factions also searched Altaïr's Codex pages to localize an [[Vatican Vault|Isu vault in Italy]]. In 1488, the Templars brought Mehmet II's Apple of Eden from [[Cyprus]] to Venice but the Assassins took it.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Play Along]]</ref> While escorting it to [[Forli]], the Templars led an [[Battle of Forli|attack]] on the city. The two groups lost the artifact as the monk [[Girolamo Savonarola]] took the Apple.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]] – [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Battle of Forlì]]'' – [[Checcomate]]</ref>


In the late 15th century, the Christian kingdoms of Spain began to unite. Around 1458, pope [[Callixtus III]] gave to King [[Alfonso V of Aragon]] the prong of Faith that was later inherited by his successors.<ref name="Last Descendants"/> In 1478, after King [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] and Queen [[Isabella I of Castile]] married, the [[Spanish Inquisition]] established to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, prosecuting anyone who was suspected to be heretics for nearly four centuries.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1478</ref> In 1481, the first [[Auto-da-fé]] happened in [[Seville]] with six persons burnt at the stake. In 1483, the Jews were expelled from Andalusia and a new court was formed with a 30-day grace period for Jews to renounce their religion. Torture was used to extract confessions and relapsed Jews were burned.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1481</ref>
In the late 15th century, the Christian kingdoms of Spain began to unite. Around 1458, pope [[Callixtus III]] gave to King [[Alfonso V of Aragon]] the prong of Faith that was later inherited by his successors.<ref name="Last Descendants"/> In 1478, after King [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] and Queen [[Isabella I of Castile]] married, the [[Spanish Inquisition]] established to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, prosecuting anyone who was suspected to be heretics for nearly four centuries.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1478</ref> In 1481, the first [[Auto-da-fé]] happened in [[Seville]] with six persons burnt at the stake. In 1483, the Jews were expelled from Andalusia and a new court was formed with a 30-day grace period for Jews to renounce their religion. Torture was used to extract confessions and relapsed Jews were burned.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1481</ref>
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The Master Templar [[Tomás de Torquemada]] became the Grand Inquisitor and branded the [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Assassins]] as heretics to track them. In the late 1480s, Spain entered into [[Granada War|war]] with the [[Emirate of Granada]], the last Muslim state in Iberia. By 1491, the Assassins associated with emir [[Muhammad XII of Granada]] and entrusted him an [[Aguilar's Apple of Eden|Apple of Eden]]. The Templars abducted the emir's son [[Ahmed of Granada|Ahmed]] to take the Apple while also advising him to continue to resist the Spanish siege of [[Granada]]. The Italian Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] convinced the emir to surrender while the Assassin [[Aguilar de Nerha]] took back the Apple and entrusted it to the navigator [[Christoffa Corombo]]. With the Treaty of Granada, Spain was unified by the Catholic kingdoms, ending the Reconquista.<ref name="ACfilm"/> In 1492, the Alhambra Decree formally expelled all Jews from Spain. Tens of thousands were baptized in the three months before the deadline for expulsion. Around 40,000 left the country.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1492</ref>
The Master Templar [[Tomás de Torquemada]] became the Grand Inquisitor and branded the [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Assassins]] as heretics to track them. In the late 1480s, Spain entered into [[Granada War|war]] with the [[Emirate of Granada]], the last Muslim state in Iberia. By 1491, the Assassins associated with emir [[Muhammad XII of Granada]] and entrusted him an [[Aguilar's Apple of Eden|Apple of Eden]]. The Templars abducted the emir's son [[Ahmed of Granada|Ahmed]] to take the Apple while also advising him to continue to resist the Spanish siege of [[Granada]]. The Italian Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] convinced the emir to surrender while the Assassin [[Aguilar de Nerha]] took back the Apple and entrusted it to the navigator [[Christoffa Corombo]]. With the Treaty of Granada, Spain was unified by the Catholic kingdoms, ending the Reconquista.<ref name="ACfilm"/> In 1492, the Alhambra Decree formally expelled all Jews from Spain. Tens of thousands were baptized in the three months before the deadline for expulsion. Around 40,000 left the country.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1492</ref>


By 1498, Tomas de Torquemada gathered the parts of the [[Shattered Staff of Eden]] and went to the [[The Forge (Isu)|Isu Forge]] under the [[Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás]] in [[Avila]] to repair the artifact. With the Staff, the Templar created an army of tangible holograms but was killed by the Assassins who destroyed the Staff leading to the collapse of the Forge.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – [[The Forge]]</ref> In 1504, the Brotherhood assassinated Queen Isabella of Castile as she was influenced by the Templars.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Contracts (Italian Brotherhood)|Contracts]] – Closure</ref> In 1511, the Grand Inquisitor [[Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros]] accused the Assassins to having killed a cardinal, but the Brotherhood brought him the true culprits.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] Just Following Orders, Part I</ref>
By 1498, Tomas de Torquemada gathered the parts of the [[Shattered Staff of Eden]] and went to the [[The Forge (Isu)|Isu Forge]] under the [[Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás]] in [[Avila]] to repair the artifact. With the Staff, the Templar created an army of tangible holograms but was killed by the Assassins who destroyed the Staff leading to the collapse of the Forge.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – [[The Forge]]</ref> In 1504, the Brotherhood assassinated Queen Isabella of Castile as she was influenced by the Templars.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Contracts (Italian Brotherhood)|Contracts]] – Closure</ref> In 1511, the Grand Inquisitor [[Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros]] accused the Assassins to having killed a cardinal, but the Brotherhood brought him the true culprits.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "Just Following Orders, Part I"</ref>


===Early Modern Era===
===Early Modern Era===
====Italian Wars====
====Italian Wars====
In 1492, the Grand Master of the Italian Rite Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander VI, increasing the Templar influence across Europe with Rome at its center.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Database: Rodrigo Borgia (Assassin's Creed II)|Database: Rodrigo Borgia]]</ref> In 1494, France invaded the Italian peninsula, beginning the [[Italian Wars]], opposing the French, the Spanish, and the Italians for over six decades.<ref name="War of the League of Cambrai">''[[Assassin's Creed: Identity]]'' – [[Database: War of the League of Cambrai]]</ref> During the conflict, Girolamo Savonarola took control of Florence with the Apple of Eden and established a theocracy. During the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]] both Assassins and Templars tried to recover the Piece of Eden.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Bonfire of the Vanities]]'' – [[Florentine Fiasco]]</ref> In 1498, the Master Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] took the Apple, ending Savonarola's rule and Florence became once again a republic.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Bonfire of the Vanities]]'' – [[Mob Justice]]</ref>
In 1492, the Grand Master of the Italian Rite Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander VI, increasing the Templar influence across Europe with Rome at its center.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Database: Rodrigo Borgia (Assassin's Creed II)|Database: Rodrigo Borgia]]</ref> In 1494, France invaded the Italian peninsula, beginning the [[Italian Wars]], opposing the French, the Spanish, and the Italians for over six decades.<ref name="War of the League of Cambrai">''[[Assassin's Creed: Identity]]'' – [[Database: War of the League of Cambrai]]</ref> During the conflict, Girolamo Savonarola took control of Florence with the Apple of Eden and established a theocracy. During the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]] both Assassins and Templars tried to recover the Piece of Eden.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]] – [[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Bonfire of the Vanities]]'' – [[Florentine Fiasco]]</ref> In 1498, the Master Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] took the Apple, ending Savonarola's rule and Florence became once again a republic.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]] – [[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Bonfire of the Vanities]]'' – [[Mob Justice]]</ref>


[[File:Roads lead to 3.png|250px|thumb|The Assassins Brotherhood in Rome]]
[[File:Roads lead to 3.png|250px|thumb|The Assassins Brotherhood in Rome]]
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In 1509, Venice and their allies fought the troops of Louis XII of France during the [[War of the League of Cambrai]]. During the [[Battle of Agnadello]], Bartolomeo d'Alviano was captured by the French and his cousin [[Niccolò di Pitigliano]] stole the [[Shroud of Eden 1|original Shroud of Eden]] to the Assassins.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Italian Wars: Chapter 1 – Bartolomeo d'Alviano]] – Stand!</ref> A year later, the Assassin [[Francesco Vecellio]] recovered the artifact in [[Lonigo]], leaving Niccolò dying in his burning house.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Italian Wars: Chapter 2 – Francesco Vecellio]] – Side Effects</ref>
In 1509, Venice and their allies fought the troops of Louis XII of France during the [[War of the League of Cambrai]]. During the [[Battle of Agnadello]], Bartolomeo d'Alviano was captured by the French and his cousin [[Niccolò di Pitigliano]] stole the [[Shroud of Eden 1|original Shroud of Eden]] to the Assassins.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Italian Wars: Chapter 1 – Bartolomeo d'Alviano]] – Stand!</ref> A year later, the Assassin [[Francesco Vecellio]] recovered the artifact in [[Lonigo]], leaving Niccolò dying in his burning house.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Italian Wars: Chapter 2 – Francesco Vecellio]] – Side Effects</ref>


In 1511, when the French occupied [[Genoa]], the Ottoman Assassins helped the Captain [[Andrea Doria]] orchestrating a citizens' revolt.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] Rebels With A Cause, Part II</ref> As it was only a mild success, the Assassins protected Doria.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] Rebels With A Cause, Part III</ref> In [[Marseille]], the Templars influenced the French King to banish the Assassins.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] By Any Other Name, Part III</ref> With their Ottoman brethren, they hindered the army effort and recruited some soldiers in their ranks.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] By Any Other Name, Part II</ref> When the Templars planned to assassinate Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Assassins protected him and eliminated the Templars of [[Madrid]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] Just Following Orders, Part III</ref>
In 1511, when the French occupied [[Genoa]], the Ottoman Assassins helped the Captain [[Andrea Doria]] orchestrating a citizens' revolt.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "Rebels With A Cause, Part II"</ref> As it was only a mild success, the Assassins protected Doria.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "Rebels With A Cause, Part III"</ref> In [[Marseille]], the Templars influenced the French King to banish the Assassins.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "By Any Other Name, Part III"</ref> With their Ottoman brethren, they hindered the army effort and recruited some soldiers in their ranks.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "By Any Other Name, Part II"</ref> When the Templars planned to assassinate Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Assassins protected him and eliminated the Templars of [[Madrid]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "Just Following Orders, Part III"</ref>


At the end of the War of the League of Cambrai, France and Venice allied against Milan. Bartolomeo d'Alviano fought on the French side, participating in the battle of Marignano in 1515, attacking the hired Swiss mercenaries with a corps of only 300 knights. A year later, he died at the siege of Ghedi.<ref name="DB: Bartolomeo"/>
At the end of the War of the League of Cambrai, France and Venice allied against Milan. Bartolomeo d'Alviano fought on the French side, participating in the battle of Marignano in 1515, attacking the hired Swiss mercenaries with a corps of only 300 knights. A year later, he died at the siege of Ghedi.<ref name="DB: Bartolomeo"/>


During the wars, French culture was influenced by Italian arts. King [[Francis I of France]] hired the artist Leonardo da Vinci and granted him a home in [[Amboise]] where he finished his ''Mona Lisa''. In 1519, just before he died, Leonardo met his friend Ezio one last time.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref> On his deathbed, he wrote his last desires for the then retired-Mentor, asking him to find Havens across Europe to train the Assassins.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci]]''</ref>
During the wars, French culture was influenced by Italian arts. King [[Francis I of France]] hired the artist Leonardo da Vinci and granted him a home in [[Amboise]] where he finished his ''Mona Lisa''. In 1519, just before he died, Leonardo met his friend Ezio one last time.<ref>[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' novel]]</ref> On his deathbed, he wrote his last desires for the then retired-Mentor, asking him to find Havens across Europe to train the Assassins.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci]]''</ref>


====Fight for Mediterranean hegemony====
====Fight for Mediterranean hegemony====
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In 1509, [[Little Judgment Day|Constantinople was struck by an earthquake]] and a [[Ottoman Civil War|Civil War]] began between the sultan [[Bayezid II]] and his son [[Selim I|Selim]] who was supported by the [[Janissaries]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[A Warm Welcome (Revelations)|A Warm Welcome]]</ref> In a plan to end the difference and the wars between the West and the East, the Prince [[Ahmet]] became the leader of the [[Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order|Byzantine Templars]] and searched the [[Masyaf Key]]s across Constantinople to open the [[Library of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and found the [[Grand Temple]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Discovery (memory)|Discovery]]</ref> As the Byzantine soldiers took the streets of Constantinople, the Ottoman Assassins led by [[Yusuf Tazim]] and reorganized by Mentor Ezio Auditore fought the Templars in the city.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The Prisoner]]</ref> In 1512, the Assassins recovered all Masyaf Keys and broke the Templars while Selim became the new sultan and killed his brother Ahmet.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[End of the Road]]</ref>
In 1509, [[Little Judgment Day|Constantinople was struck by an earthquake]] and a [[Ottoman Civil War|Civil War]] began between the sultan [[Bayezid II]] and his son [[Selim I|Selim]] who was supported by the [[Janissaries]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[A Warm Welcome (Revelations)|A Warm Welcome]]</ref> In a plan to end the difference and the wars between the West and the East, the Prince [[Ahmet]] became the leader of the [[Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order|Byzantine Templars]] and searched the [[Masyaf Key]]s across Constantinople to open the [[Library of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and found the [[Grand Temple]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Discovery (memory)|Discovery]]</ref> As the Byzantine soldiers took the streets of Constantinople, the Ottoman Assassins led by [[Yusuf Tazim]] and reorganized by Mentor Ezio Auditore fought the Templars in the city.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The Prisoner]]</ref> In 1512, the Assassins recovered all Masyaf Keys and broke the Templars while Selim became the new sultan and killed his brother Ahmet.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[End of the Road]]</ref>


Across the Mediterranean Sea, the Ottoman Assassins fought the Templars.<ref name="Mediterranean Defense"/> In Athens, the Templars bribed the Ottoman soldiers to loot the homes of wealthy citizens. The Assassins defended the citizens and killed the Templars in the city.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] For The People, Part III</ref> In [[Rhodes]], after the Knights Hospitalier, captured many Assassins and killed the Master Assassin [[Castor]], in retaliation the Brotherhood attacked the Knight compound Ataviros.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] The Knights, Part III</ref> The Assassins also defend the island against corsairs attacks.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] Amid The Rubble</ref> As the Templars in Tripoli were commanded from Rhodes, the Assassins cut their communications.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] The Demolition Man, Part III</ref> In Algiers, the Assassins fought the Spanish influence, allying with the pirate [[Hayreddin Barbarossa]] and protecting the Moors population of the island Penon.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]] An Eye For A Helping Hand</ref>
Across the Mediterranean Sea, the Ottoman Assassins fought the Templars.<ref name="Mediterranean Defense"/> In Athens, the Templars bribed the Ottoman soldiers to loot the homes of wealthy citizens. The Assassins defended the citizens and killed the Templars in the city.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "For The People, Part III"</ref> In [[Rhodes]], after the Knights Hospitalier, captured many Assassins and killed the Master Assassin [[Castor]], in retaliation the Brotherhood attacked the Knight compound Ataviros.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "The Knights, Part III"</ref> The Assassins also defend the island against corsairs attacks.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "Amid The Rubble"</ref> As the Templars in Tripoli were commanded from Rhodes, the Assassins cut their communications.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "The Demolition Man, Part III"</ref> In Algiers, the Assassins fought the Spanish influence, allying with the pirate [[Hayreddin Barbarossa]] and protecting the Moors population of the island Penon.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Mediterranean Defense]]: "An Eye For A Helping Hand"</ref>


During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mediterranean Sea became a battlefield between the Ottoman Empire and the Catholic states. In 1565, the sultan [[Suleiman I]], an ally of the Assassins, ordered the siege of [[Malta]] which was held by the Knights Hospitalier but the Ottomans failed to take the island.<ref name="The Hospitaller's Plea">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[War Letters]] – The Hospitaller's Plea</ref> From 1648 to 1669, the Ottomans besieged the Venetian city of [[Heraklion|Candia]] in Krete and took possession of the island.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[Bracers of Candia]]</ref> In 1687, during the Morean War, the Republic of Venice besieged Athens and inadvertently blew up the [[Parthenon]] by destroying the Ottoman's gunpowder stock with a cannonball.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: The Akropolis of Athens|The Akropolis of Athens: "Parthenon Exterior"]]</ref>
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mediterranean Sea became a battlefield between the Ottoman Empire and the Catholic states. In 1565, the sultan [[Suleiman I]], an ally of the Assassins, ordered the siege of [[Malta]] which was held by the Knights Hospitalier but the Ottomans failed to take the island.<ref name="The Hospitaller's Plea">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[War Letters]] – The Hospitaller's Plea</ref> From 1648 to 1669, the Ottomans besieged the Venetian city of [[Heraklion|Candia]] in Krete and took possession of the island.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[Bracers of Candia]]</ref> In 1687, during the Morean War, the Republic of Venice besieged Athens and inadvertently blew up the [[Parthenon]] by destroying the Ottoman's gunpowder stock with a cannonball.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: The Akropolis of Athens|The Akropolis of Athens: "Parthenon Exterior"]]</ref>
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====Sciences, arts and occultism====
====Sciences, arts and occultism====
[[File:ACB Close the Book 7.png|thumb|250px|left|Copernicus and Ezio Auditore observing the lunar eclipse]]
[[File:ACB Close the Book 7.png|thumb|250px|left|Copernicus and Ezio Auditore observing the lunar eclipse]]
The Renaissance and humanism paved the way for new ideas. In May 1500, when the Templar astronomer [[Nicolaus Copernicus]] wanted to share his research on Heliocentrism, the [[Giuliano (Master of the Sacred Palace)|Master of the Sacred Palace Giuliano]] ordered to kill him.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[Copernicus Conspiracy]]'' – [[False Censorship]]</ref> He was protected by the Master Assassin Ezio Auditore who killed Giuliano during the lunar eclipse.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[Copernicus Conspiracy]]'' – [[Close the Book]]</ref> The Brotherhood continued to protect Copernicus from the Templars in the following years.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Rome: Chapter 3 – Francesco Vecellio]] – Spacemen</ref> His research was only published after he died in 1543.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[Copernicus Conspiracy]]'' – [[Database: Niccolò Copernico]]</ref> Astronomy developped further with the work of Petrus Apianus in his ''Introductio Geographica''.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Introductio Geographica"]]</ref>
The Renaissance and humanism paved the way for new ideas. In May 1500, when the Templar astronomer [[Nicolaus Copernicus]] wanted to share his research on Heliocentrism, the [[Giuliano (Master of the Sacred Palace)|Master of the Sacred Palace Giuliano]] ordered to kill him.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[Copernicus Conspiracy]]'' – [[False Censorship]]</ref> He was protected by the Master Assassin Ezio Auditore who killed Giuliano during the lunar eclipse.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[Copernicus Conspiracy]]'' – [[Close the Book]]</ref> The Brotherhood continued to protect Copernicus from the Templars in the following years.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Rome: Chapter 3 – Francesco Vecellio]] – Spacemen</ref> His research was only published after he died in 1543.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[Copernicus Conspiracy]]'' – [[Database: Niccolò Copernico]]</ref> Astronomy developped further with the work of Petrus Apianus in his ''Introductio Geographica''.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Introductio Geographica"]]</ref>


In 1506, the Cult of Hermes was active in Rome, led by [[Ercole Massimo]]. After a failed attempt to take the Apple of Eden to Auditore, the Hermeticists associated with Leonardo Da Vinci to find the [[Temple of Pythagoras]]. When the painter refused to help them further, they abducted him and forced him to reveal the location.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' – [[A Roll of the Dice]]</ref> Auditore saved his friend, killing Massimo and his followers before discovering with Leonardo what the Temple contained.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' – [[The Temple of Pythagoras]]</ref> By 1509, the Cult was led by [[Seraphina]] who searched to avenge her father and brother's death by Auditore. She allied with the Templar [[Francesco Rizzo]] to attack Monteriggioni while the Cult searched the Staff of Hermes in Venice.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Monteriggioni Tunnels]]</ref> Auditore eliminated both of them and discovered that the Staff was only a replica.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Cult of Hermes Reborn]]</ref>
In 1506, the Cult of Hermes was active in Rome, led by [[Ercole Massimo]]. After a failed attempt to take the Apple of Eden to Auditore, the Hermeticists associated with Leonardo Da Vinci to find the [[Temple of Pythagoras]]. When the painter refused to help them further, they abducted him and forced him to reveal the location.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' – [[A Roll of the Dice]]</ref> Auditore saved his friend, killing Massimo and his followers before discovering with Leonardo what the Temple contained.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' – [[The Temple of Pythagoras]]</ref> By 1509, the Cult was led by [[Seraphina]] who searched to avenge her father and brother's death by Auditore. She allied with the Templar [[Francesco Rizzo]] to attack Monteriggioni while the Cult searched the Staff of Hermes in Venice.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Monteriggioni Tunnels]]</ref> Auditore eliminated both of them and discovered that the Staff was only a replica.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Cult of Hermes Reborn]]</ref>


[[File:PL-Accusations.png|thumb|250px|Giovanni and Maria running in the streets of Troyes]]
[[File:PL-Accusations.png|thumb|250px|Giovanni and Maria running in the streets of Troyes]]
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In the late 16th century, the court of the Holy Roman emperor [[Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor|Rudolf II]] in [[Prague]] became an intellectual center with the scientist Johannes Kepler, the alchemist [[Michael Maier]], the painter [[Giuseppe Arcimboldo]] and the writer [[Elizabeth Jane Weston]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston]] – Introduction Video</ref> By 1587, the English occultists [[Edward Kelley]] and [[John Dee]] possessed the two volumes of the Book of Abraham and used them to create gold for the emperor.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston]] – Wisdom</ref> As Kelley became more obsessed with the book, Dee stole it and left the city.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston]] – Wrath</ref> During this period, the Isu book later known as the [[Voynich manuscript]] was possessed by the emperor.
In the late 16th century, the court of the Holy Roman emperor [[Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor|Rudolf II]] in [[Prague]] became an intellectual center with the scientist Johannes Kepler, the alchemist [[Michael Maier]], the painter [[Giuseppe Arcimboldo]] and the writer [[Elizabeth Jane Weston]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston]] – Introduction Video</ref> By 1587, the English occultists [[Edward Kelley]] and [[John Dee]] possessed the two volumes of the Book of Abraham and used them to create gold for the emperor.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston]] – Wisdom</ref> As Kelley became more obsessed with the book, Dee stole it and left the city.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' – [[Divine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston]] – Wrath</ref> During this period, the Isu book later known as the [[Voynich manuscript]] was possessed by the emperor.


As Cosmology evolved, it was sometimes restrained by the Church. In 1600, the [[Roman Inquisition]] burnt at stake the scholar [[Giordano Bruno]] for his unorthodox beliefs,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1600</ref> and in 1633 [[Galileo Galilei]] was condemned for promoting Heliocentrism.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1633</ref> However, the Scientific Revolution happened, sponsored by the Templars to influence the rulers and the population for their New World Order. To promote science and rationalism, the Order influenced and used the research of [[Francis Bacon]], [[Baruch Spinoza]], [[John Locke]] and [[Isaac Newton]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]] File.0.15\Hst_NewOrder</ref> Other scientists flourished during this time, like [[Athanasius Kircher]], René Descartes and Thomas Burnet.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Sacred Theory of the Earth"]]</ref>
As Cosmology evolved, it was sometimes restrained by the Church. In 1600, the [[Roman Inquisition]] burnt at stake the scholar [[Giordano Bruno]] for his unorthodox beliefs,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1600</ref> and in 1633 [[Galileo Galilei]] was condemned for promoting Heliocentrism.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed DNA]]'' – Timeline: 1633</ref> However, the Scientific Revolution happened, sponsored by the Templars to influence the rulers and the population for their New World Order. To promote science and rationalism, the Order influenced and used the research of [[Francis Bacon]], [[Baruch Spinoza]], [[John Locke]] and [[Isaac Newton]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]]: "File.0.15\Hst_NewOrder"</ref> Other scientists flourished during this time, like [[Athanasius Kircher]], René Descartes and Thomas Burnet.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Sacred Theory of the Earth"]]</ref>


Between the 16th and the 18th century, the Baroque style influenced European architecture and paintings with artists like Claude Lorrain.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Harbour Scene at Sunset"]]</ref> The Dutch Golden Age painting was held by artists like Gerard van Honthorst, [[Willem van de Velde the Younger]], Pieter Claesz and even influenced British painting with Peter Lely.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Nymphs By A Fountain"]]</ref> New musical instruments were created and instrument makers became famous, like Hendrik Richters with his oboes, and  Antonio Stradivari with his violoncelli.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: Violoncello]]</ref>
Between the 16th and the 18th century, the Baroque style influenced European architecture and paintings with artists like Claude Lorrain.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Harbour Scene at Sunset"]]</ref> The Dutch Golden Age painting was held by artists like Gerard van Honthorst, [[Willem van de Velde the Younger]], Pieter Claesz and even influenced British painting with Peter Lely.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: "Nymphs By A Fountain"]]</ref> New musical instruments were created and instrument makers became famous, like Hendrik Richters with his oboes, and  Antonio Stradivari with his violoncelli.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: Violoncello]]</ref>

Revision as of 17:40, 23 December 2024

Ezio, my friend! How may I be of service?

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Europe is a continent or subcontinent comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, bordering the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east along with the rest of Eurasia.

Since at least the Roman era, both the Assassin Brotherhood and Templar Order have had a strong presence in Europe. Europe served as the primary housing for both organizations until the Age of Discovery,[1] when they started expanding their influence around the entire globe.[2]

History

Isu Era

The city of Atlantis

Millennia ago, Europe, like the rest of the World, was populated by the Isu, an advanced civilization divided in many factions. In modern Greece, the Sister Realms of Atlantis, Elysium, and Underworld were ruled respectively by Poseidon, Persephone, and Hades.[3] In Norway, the Æsir of Asgard were led by Odin.[4] To stop the war between the Æsir and the Vanir led by Freyr, Odin married Freyja, Freyr's twin sister, uniting the two people. Numerous Isu Temples were built across Europe, especially in British Isles, Greece, and Italy.[5]

The Isu scientist Phanes engineered humans as slaves for the Isu, who used Apples of Eden to control them. Phanes fell in love with a female human and they fled to Atlantis. She gave birth to Eve, the first hybrid who was unaffected by the Apples.[6] As the number of hybrids increased, Eve, with Adam, led the Human-Isu War by stealing an Apple of Eden around 75,010 BCE.[7]

During the War, Isu learned that an upcoming coronal mass ejection will destroy Earth.[8] The Isu scientists searched for different ways to save the World. The Capitoline Triad, composed Father of Understanding Jupiter, the Mother of Wisdom Juno, and theSacred Voice Minerva, work on seven solutions.[9] One of the them was the Rings of Eden Initiative led by Rah Cel'eze, adapting the technology of Rings of Eden to deflect the solar flare. Inside a station in modern England, the Isu tried to create a giant shield to circle the Earth but without the time and resources, they limited their goal to protect one city. Eventually, the initiative was shut down and the station was cut from the global grid.[10]

The Aesir witnessing the Great Disaster

Knowing that the Isu would become extinct after the catastrophe while humanity would prevail, the Æsir, with Juno's help, stole "the mead", a catalyst for the seventh solution, permitting to store their essence into the human gene pool across eons.[11] After this treason, Juno was outcast.[12] In 75,000 BCE, just before the Toba Disaster, Odin, Tyr, Freyja, Freyr, Thor, Sif, Idun and Heimdall used the computer Yggdrasil with the Mead to store their essence before dying. The Isu Loki also secretly used Yggdrasil to take his revenge on Odin millennia after the Catastrophe.[13]

After the Earth burnt for weeks, less than 10,000 humans and a few Isu survived. Jupiter, Minerva, and other Isu taught what they could to the humans to help reignite the spark of civilization.[9] After a few centuries, all Isu were dead, but they were remembered by humans as gods, composing the pantheon of different civilizations.[8] While the Isu Temples were buried through time, the hybrids' descendants used Pieces of Eden to become rulers, heroes, and conquerors. Their feats were remembered as legends and the artifacts were perceived as magical objects.[14]

Antiquity

Mediterranean Civilizations

Ruins of Knossos Palace

During the Bronze Age, many civilizations appeared across Europe, like the Celts in Western Europe, the Etruscans and the Romans in Italy, the Minoans in Krete and the Mycenaean in Greece, which was later seen as the cradle of Western civilization, influencing philosophy, art, politics, and science.[15] The Trojan War was perpetuated through Homer's poems of the Iliad and the Odyssey, while Aesop's Fables also had a great impact on European culture.[16]

During the Archaic era, the Greek culture expanded by settlers across Mediterranean Sea, in Sicily but also in Ionia and Cyrenaica. During the 6th century BCE, the scholar Pythagoras met the Isu Hermes Trismegistus who gave him his Staff of Eden, granting him immortality.[17] Pythagoras founded the Cult of Hermes, a group that sought to keep balance between Order and Chaos. However, many Hermeticists favored Chaos, and they eventually split off to form the Cult of Kosmos, which was led by a person under the moniker the Ghost of Kosmos to secretly control Greece. They found an Isu Pyramid under the Sanctuary of Delphi, permitting them to see possible futures and influencing Greek politics.[18] Pythagoras went to the ruins of Atlantis to protect its secrets from the Cult.[19]

Athens' Acropolis

During the Classical Era, Greece was divided into many poleis, such as Sparta, Korinth, and Athens, which was one of the first Democracy.[20] Between 490 and 449 BCE, Greece was invaded by the Achaemenid Empire which was supported by the Order of the Ancients, a secret society emulating the Isu civilization by controlling humanity through Pieces of Eden.[21] The Persians and the Order allied with the Cult of Kosmos, facing the Greek city-states alliance, Athens and Sparta among them.[22] Even if the king Leonidas of Sparta died with his army at the Battle of Thermopylae, the Greeks defeated the Persians at the battles of Salamis and Plataia.[23]

Without a common enemy, Athens and Sparta fought for Greece's hegemony, creating the Delian League for the former and the Peloponnesian League for the latter. This led to the Peloponnesian War between 431 and 404 BCE, with the Cult of Kosmos infiltrating the two sides to gain control of Greece.[24] Their plans were thwarted by the misthios Kassandra, granddaughter of King Leonidas, who assassinated each member and destroyed the Pyramid with the Leonidas' Spear of Eden.[18] The Order of Ancients infiltrated the Greek institutions during the War but they were stopped by Kassandra who was helped by the Persian Proto-Assassin Darius.[25] Later Kassandra helped her father Pythagoras to seal the ruins of Atlantis and inherited the Staff of Hermes, becoming the Keeper, tracking Pieces of Eden through the World for twenty-six centuries, like the Korfu's Apple of Eden.[26]

During the 5th century BCE, even through war, Greece stayed a beacon of culture with Athens as its first city. Sokrates and Plato developed Western philosophy with the Academy while Herodotos and Thucydides were dubbed as the Fathers of History.[27] The poet Empedocles wrote in his On Nature his thoughts on human evolution while Hippokrates greatly contributed to medicine. In theatrical art, tragedies were represented through the plays of Aischylos, Sophokles, and Euripides while Aristophanes became the Father of Comedy, followed by Menander a century later.[28] In the 4th century BCE, the philosopher Aristotle was at the Makedonian court of the king Philip II to tutor his son Alexander. He later established in Athens his school the Lykeion with an important library.[29]

Mosaic depicting Alexander the Great

In the late 4th century BCE, Greece was part of the Kingdom of Makedonia ruled by Alexander the Great. The Order of the Ancients granted him a Staff combined with the Trident of Eden, permitting him to conquer Egypt and the Middle East. His vast empire didn't last as Alexander was poisoned by the Babylonian Proto-Assassin Iltani, leading to the division between Makedonian Greece, the Ptolemaic Kingdom, and the Seleucid Empire, each ruler having one of the Trident's prongs.[30]

In Egypt, Alexandria and its Library became a center of Greek culture in Africa. Among its scholars was the poet Kallimachos who rejected the epic format of Homeric poems, and instead fervently supported a shorter, more judiciously formulated style of poetry.[31] The mathematician Euclid was seen as the Father of geometry and wrote The Elements, laying out the foundational work of what would become modern algebra and number theory.[32] During the 3rd century BCE, Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth.[33]

In the Near East, the city of Seleucia-on-the-Tigris was also a center of Greek culture, known for its Stoic philosophers and its Olympic athletes.[34] In the late 2nd century BCE, the collapse of the Seleucid Empire created a power vacuum that turned the region of western Cilicia into a pirate stronghold. The inhabitants were already known for their outlaw activities and military prowess, and the Cilicians established themselves as the most successful group of pirates in the ancient Mediterranean region.[35]

Roman Era

According to legend, Rome was founded by King Romulus in 753 BCE and became the center of a Republic in 510 BCE.[36] By the 3rd century BCE, Romans expanded across the Mediterranean Sea, fighting Celts, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Persians. This led to the Romanization of most parts of Europe, with the construction of aqueducts, forts, and cities but also the enslavement of the defeated populations. The Romans used enemy technologies to add to their own formidable arsenal like the Catarginean ships or the Greek siege engines.[37] De Architectura's autor Vitruvius exemplified this two sides of the Roman conquest, as an military engineer and architect who developped Cyrenaica.[38]

Caesar's assassination by the Hidden Ones

In 49 BCE, as a civil war erupted between the consuls Pompey and Gaius Julius Caesar, the Order of the Ancients executed the last and inducted the latter into their ranks, the dictator becoming their leader.[39] Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, and other senators allied with Amunet, a descendant of Darius and Kassandra of Sparta. They founded the Roman branch of the Hidden Ones, a group dedicated to fighting the Order and protecting humanity's freedom.[40] In 44 BCE, the Hidden Ones assassinated Caesar.[41]

After the dictator's death, general Marcus Antonius allied with Caesar's nephew and adopted son Octavian. In 42 BCE, they defeated Brutus and Longinus at the battle of Philippi, the two Hidden Ones committing suicide afterward. Octavian took the leadership of the Ancients, and after defeating Antonius in 30 BCE, established the Roman Empire.[42] His successor expanded the empire using the Prongs of Faith and Devotion.[30] The expansion wasn't without resistance, like the Iceni revolt led by the queen Boudicca in 60 CE.[43]

The Hadrian's Wall

As the empire spread across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East, the Hidden Ones established bureaus to operate in Europe.[44] The emperors were often targets of the Brotherhood. In 41 CE, Caligula was killed by the Hidden One Leonius.[45] By 122 CE, the Emperor Hadrian built a Great Wall in England and planned to lead a war against the northern native people. The Hidden One Caius tried to assassinate the emperor, but he was discovered and killed. In 164 CE, the Brotherhood made a deal with Emperor Marcus Aurelius to retreat the Roman troops from the Antonine Wall to the Hadrian's Wall. In 211 CE, when the Emperor Septimius Severus broke the deal, the Hidden One Khloe killed him in his villa of Eboracum.[46]

During the transition from the Republic to the Empire, the poet Virgil wrote the Aeneid, the epic journey of the Trojan prince Aeneas, strengthened the Roman identity. Roman civilization was greatly influenced by the Greek culture. Ovid's Metamorphoses compiled Greek fables while the historian Plutarch make comparative biographies of Greek and Roman men in Parallel Lives.[16] The Greco-Egyptians also continued to influence Rome, like the historian Arrian writing about Alexander the Great's campaigns.[47] The scholar Ptolemy, through his Geography and Almagest, solidified geocentrism as the major astronomical model for centuries. The Berberian Roman Apuleius wrote The Golden Ass, a precursor of "picaresque style".[16]

Representation of Peter with a Staff of Eden

During the 1st century CE, Simon Peter, an Apostle of Jesus of Nazareth, arrived in Rome leading the Christian Church with a Staff of Eden.[48] His successor inherited the Staff and later the emperors' Prongs, spreading Christianity in Europe.[30] In some cases, Christians were persecuted by the Roman authority. In 306 CE, when the Belgae warriors killed Christians, the Hidden One Beatha delivered a letter to Emperor Constantine I pleading for the protection of the Christians.[46] Later, the emperor authorized the new religion, and in 330 CE, rebuilt the Greek city of Byzantium as a New Rome and a Christian city, which later became Constantinople.[49]

At the end of the 4th century, Theodosius I declared Christianity the official religion of the empire, and ordered the closing of polytheist temples.[50] This particularly decreased the influence of the Order throughout the empire.[51] In England, pagan Britons were executed by Christians. The Hidden Ones Teague and his magister eliminated three priests to send a message to the emperor.[46] In Alexandria, the Neoplatonist school was led by Hypatia until she died in 415 CE, ending the age of great ancient scientific discoveries.[52] 

Representation of Attila the Hun

By the 5th century, as the empire was too vast to control, the legions retired from the peripheral provinces like England. The Hidden Ones also fled these provinces and established their strongest foothold across Mediterranea.[44] The empire was invaded by Germanic tribes, the Saxons and the Franks among them. In 410 CE, Rome was sacked by the Visigoths and their king Alaric I.[53] In Eastern Europe, Attila the Hun obtained a Sword of Eden and used it to expand his empire in central and western Europe.[48]

In 476 CE, Rome and the Western Roman Empire fell.[36] Only the Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople remained, controlling Greece, Egypt, and the Near East.[49] Even after the Empire's fall, many ruins lasted for centuries and the Roman Civilization held a lasting influence on the European countries.[54]

Middle Ages

Dark Ages

Arthur pulling Excalibur

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes filled the political vacuum, with the establishment of new kingdoms. In the late 5th century, when the Anglo-Saxons invaded England, Arthur Pendragon received the Sword of Eden Excalibur from the Women of the Mist, a group of witch-warriors. Using its power, Arthur became the king of Britons and a leader of the Order of the Ancients. The Women of the Mist's agent Mordred tried to recover the Sword for himself, founding the Descendants of the Round Table, but Arthur hid the Sword in an Isu vault. The Women of the Mist protected the vault, becoming an enemy of the Descendants.[55]

In 536 CE, as Italy was under the control of the Ostrogoths, the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian I sent the generals Belisarius and Narses to conquer Rome. During the Gothic War, the Romans took Rome but the city was besieged numerous times by the Ostrogoth of Totila.[56] Eventually, Italy became a part of the Byzantine Empire, but in the 7th century, after Lombard's invasion, Byzantine settlers took refuge in Venice, establishing their own Republic.[57]

In parallel with the king and lords, the bishops served as representatives of the Roman Church across Europe dioceses. Even if they were chosen among the local elites, bishops sometimes entered into conflicts with civil powers.[58] Monastic orders also flourished like the Benedictines. The monasteries served many roles in European society, greeting pilgrims, and dispensing education and care. Monasteries became also place for political meetings.[59]

Between the 6th and the 7th century, the Anglo-Saxons established the Heptarchy with the kingdoms of Wessex, Essex, Sussex, Kent, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria.[60] With the influence of Irish monks, the Anglo-Saxons adopted Christianism, as well as the Picts of Scotland.[61] The Britons in Wales regularly fought with the Anglo-Saxons. During the late 8th century, Mercia was ruled by the Ancients Offa, who expanded his kingdom and built a linear military fortification known as the Offa's Dyke.[62] After his rule, the Ancient established one of their last stronghold in England, even reaching Scandinavia.[51]

In the early 8th century, after the Umayyad Caliphate nearly conquered all of Spain, the last Christian states struck back. This led to the Reconquista, opposing the Christian and the Muslim states in Spain for over seven centuries.[63] After the Abbasid Revolution in 750, the Umayyad dynasty established the Emirate of Córdoba.[64] Even if the Greeks and the Arabs were often at war, economic and cultural exchanges existed between the two populations.[65] Many Greek merchants and architects went to the Abbasid Caliphate and the manuscripts of Aristotle, Hippokrates, and Ptolemy influenced Middle Eastern philosophy, medicine and astronomy, contributing to the Islamic Golden Age.[66]

Tapestry depicting Charlemagne

In 756 CE, the bishop of Rome established the Papal States, becoming the pope.[36] As Rome and Constantinople were rivals for Christendom leadership, the pope Leo III allied with Charlemagne, king of the Franks and secretly the leader of the Ancients. In 800, Leo crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Roman. The Carolingian Empire spread across France, Germany, and Northern Italy and was seen as a spiritual successor of the Western Roman Empire.[67] Later, the empire was divided into three but the Ancients kept influence as the emperor Louis II of Italy was the leader of the Order in the mid-9th century.[68]

Viking Age

Ragnar Lothbrok

In the late 8th century, the lack of arable land in Scandinavia led many Norses to leave their countries. As a seafaring people, Norse became settlers, and traders, but also Vikings, raiding the coast to loot goods and made slaves.[69] The monastery of Lindisfarne was one of the first raided in 793 CE, beginning the Viking expansion. One of the most famous Vikings was Ragnar Lothbrok, who besieged Paris in 845. In the 850s, the Norwegian Ímar established the kingdom of Dublin in Ireland, which became an important trading hub under the rule of his son Bárid mac Ímair.[70]

In 852, the Varangian Rurik built the city of Novgorod in in modern-day Russia. Sailing through the Danube, Varangians besieged Constantinople in 860. To stop them, the imperial family recruited them as personal guards, the Eagle Clan among them. In 867, the Order of the Ancients helped the Chambellan Basil to assassinate the emperor Michael III. As Basil was the new emperor, the Order influenced him to kill his son Leo, suspected to be Michael's son. The Varangian Thyra from the Eagle clan allied with the Hidden Ones Basim Ibn Ishaq and Hytham to protect Leo. They succeeded, killing the Ancients leader Isaac, and Basil cutting his ties with the Order.[71] During this period, the Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople compiled in his Bibliotheca the review of 300 books.[16]

Aella subjected to the blood eagle

In 865, Lothbrok raided the kingdom of Northumbria ruled by the Ancient Ælla. After Ælla executed Lothbrok, the Sons of Ragnar invaded England with the Great Heathen Army to conquer it. When they killed Ælla, Northumbria became a vassal of the Ragnarssons. East Anglia knew the same fate after the murder of the king Edmund the Martyr. As the Great Summer Army led by Guthrum expanded in Mercia, Wessex, ruled by the Grand Maegester of the Ancients Æthelwulf and later his sons Æthelred and Alfred the Great, fought the Viking expansion. [72] The Picts and Britons also entered into war against the Norse.[73]

During this period, the Æsir's Isu incarnations appeared, such as Thor's incarnation Halfdan Ragnarsson and Freyr's as Harald Fairhair, uniting all Norway.[74] Tyr's and Odin's incarnations were Sigurd Styrbjornsson and Eivor Varinsdottir from the Raven Clan. As they fought the Ancient Kjotve the Cruel, they allied with Basim and Hytham.[75] After Kjotve's death, the Hidden Ones followed the Raven Clan in their settling of Ravensthorpe in Mercia, establishing the bureau for the British Hidden Ones.[76] Unknown to them, Basim was Loki's incarnation and tried to take his revenge on Odin but it ultimately failed after he was trapped in Yggdrasil's simulations for centuries.[77]

The Battle of Chippenham

While Eivor tried to conquer all of England, the Hidden Ones recruited her to kill the Ancients in the country.[76] At the same time, Alfred the Great wanted to reform the Order, deeming its Isu worship as heretical. As Poor-Fellow-Soldier of the Christ, he sent clues to Eivor to eliminate all of the Ancients. In 878, during the Battle of Chippenham, Eivor fought with her allies Alfred army. After his defeat, Alfred hid at Athelnay where he met Eivor to reveal the truth and the reformation of the Ancients as the Templar Order.[78] Later Alfred's army defeated the Great Heathen Army at the Battle of Edington. Alfred established peace with Guthrum, who converted to Christianity and became king of East Anglia.[79] During the following decades, the Norse adopted Christianity and the two societies were unified as the Kingdom of England.[80]

While the Ancients were collapsing, other secret organizations were active in the British Isles. As Eivor recovered Excalibur, both the Descendants of the Round Table and the Women of the Mist tried to steal the Sword of Eden. The Hidden Ones allied with the witch warriors after Niamh of Argyll infiltrated their ranks. Hytham orchestrated a sacrifice of an Excalibur's copy to fool the Descendants while granting the Piece of Eden to the Women of the Mist.[55] In Scotland, a Christian sect led by Saint Columba the Reborn used the Codex of Eden to convert the population. Both Hidden Ones and Templars took interest in the group. Their headquarters in the Loch Ness Temple was flooded by the Hidden Ones while the Templars recovered fragments of the Codex.[81]

In Ireland, as Christianization progressed, the druid culture faded out. In this context, the Children of Danu emerged, a secret society dedicated to defending the Gaelic culture through violent ways, practicing sacrifices, and using hallucinogens to spread fear among Christians and Norse.[82] By 879, the Children were led by Eogan mac Cartaigh who pretended to be a dedicated Christian priest. The Children planned to assassinate the High King Flann Sinna to destabilize Ireland but they failed and were eliminated by Eivor.[83] Their actions led to further persecution against the druid by the Christians.[84]

Vikings raiding Paris' street

In the 880s, the Carolingian empire was once again unified under Charles the Fat who had a troubled mind. The zealous Christian sect known as the Bellatores Dei believed that Francia fell in apostasy and influenced Charles to restore order.[85] By 886, they tried to eliminate his wife Richardis and killed the jarl Sinric of the Elgring Clan. Sinric's brother Sigfred led the Siege of Paris with the help of Eivor and the Raven Clan. Despite Count Odo and some Bellatores members leading the city's defenses, the Vikings stormed Paris.[86] Eivor and Odo made a truce to spare the citizens while Charles paid the Elgring Clan to leave, weakening his leadership.[87] Later, Eivor eliminated the Bellatores, saving Richardis and defeating Charles in a duel.[88] In 887, Charles was deposed and Odo became the king of Western Francia, leading to the collapse of the Carolingian empire.[89]

On the Isle of Skye, an Apple of Eden activated itself on the arrival of the Keeper Kassandra, plaguing the island's population with by horrible nightmares and leading them to madness.[90] With Eivor's help, Kassandra recovered the artifact, ending the illusions.[91] Near Ravensthorpe, the Eden Ring Station's generators began to produce energy but had no outlet for it, risking a discharge that would wipe out all life on Britain. The Rah Cel'eze's AI contacted Eivor, who solved the situation by removing The Blazing Sword, shutting down the station.[10]

During the 10th century, the Fatimid Caliphate took control of Sicily. In 929, the emir of Cordoba Abd al-Rahman III founded a caliphate over Spain and Maghrib, challenging the Abbasids of Baghdad.[64] In the 11th century, Europeans had access to papermaking by the Arabs.[92]

In 917 CE, the Byzantine admiral John Rhadenos negotiated peace with the Abbasids and paid the ransom for captured soldiers, bringing gifts of silk, ivory, or precious manuscripts to the caliph.[93] The bishop Liutprand of Cremona went to Constantinople as an emissary and wrote a book relating his experience.[94]

In 962, the king of East Francia and Italy Otto established the Holy Roman Empire, controlling most of central Europe. Owning the Prong of Devotion, he granted the artifact to the bishop Poppa to convert Denmark to Christianity. Poppa baptized its king Harald Bluetooth who kept the prong and joined the Templars In 975 in Sweden, the Hidden Ones assassinated the King Olof Björnsson and promoted his brother Eric as his successor. Olof's son, Styrbjörn the Strong allied with Harald to invade Sweden, using the prong. In 985, at the Battle of Fýrisvellir, Styrbjörn army was defeated and the prong was taken by the Hidden One Thorvald Hjaltason. He entrusted the artifact to the warrior Östen Jorundsson who hid it.[95]

Vikings also explored the Atlantic Ocean, settling in Iceland by the 9th century.[74] Around 1000, according to sagas, Leif Ericson participated in a Viking expedition to North America, establishing a colony in Vinland.[96]

The handover of the city keys to William the Conqueror, Bayeux Tapestry, scene 27

In the middle of the 11th century, the duke of Normandy William the Conqueror led his army against the County of Britain. Later, he became king of England. The Bayeux Tapestry served as an illustrated document of his life.[97] Later, the Normans conquered Naples, ruling it during three centuries.[98]

High Middle Age

By the 11th century, European Christendom was divided into two, the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Churches in the East. In 1095, at the Council of Clermont, the pope Urban II initiated the First Crusade to recover the Holy Land from Muslim rule. [99] Peasants, and later lords and knights, participated to the siege Jerusalem in 1099, establishing the Crusader states for two centuries.[100]

Hughes de Payens, Grand Master of the Templar Order

In this context, many military orders were created to protect the pilgrims, the Knights Hospitalier among them. During the council of Troyes in 1129, with the support of Bernard de Clairvaux, the Templars were officially recognized as the Knights Templars with Hugues de Payens as their Grand Master. They established strongholds in the Middle East but also in Europe, becoming an important economic infrastructure in Christendom. During this time they fought the Assassins, a reformed Hidden Ones Brotherhood that established a state in the Middle East.[101]

In the 12th century, reality and fiction were sometimes blurred in writing. Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote The History of the Kings of Britain, a pseudo-historical work claiming to use earlier sources. The pre-Christian Germanic poem Nibelungenlied was written in Germany. The Digenes Akritas told the epic story of Basil during the Arab-Byzantine wars. During the 13th century, the Aberdeen Bestiary was written, representing mythical creatures while the Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturluson wrote the Heimskringla, a collection of Old Norse sagas.[16]

In 1202, during the Fourth Crusade, Venice's fleet transported the Crusaders, leading to the sack of Constantinople in 1204. This shattered the Byzantine Empire, the Crusaders established the Latin Empire in Greece and Venice took many islands of the Aegean Sea, and Venetian and Genoan merchants settled in Constantinople.[102] During this time, the Levantine Mentor Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad failed to establish a guild due to the sack, but in 1257, he sent the Venetian explorer brothers Niccolò and Maffeo Polo, who succeeded.[103] In 1261, the Latin emperor was expelled from Constantinople and Michael VIII Palaiologos established back the Byzantine Empire but only a fraction of its former land.[102] In 1269, the Polo brothers established an Assassins guild in Venice.[104]

At the dawn of the 13th century, two Mendicant orders were created: the Franciscans and the Dominicans, making vow of poverty while preaching in the cities. In 1231, pope Gregory IX initiated the Medieval Inquisition, to bring order to the process of dealing with heresy and prevent mob justice. Both Franciscan and Dominican members were appointed as papal inquisitors.[105]

A page of Epistola de Magnete

Between the 12th and 13th centuries, thanks to Arabic translations, Europe had access to Greek and Indian philosophical and mathematical knowledge.[66] Scientific fields evolved, like magnetism with the Epistola de Magnete, while the philosopher Roger Bacon compiled in his Opus Majus and Opus Minus treatises on natural science, mathematics, grammar, physics, optics, and philosophy for Pope Clement IV.[16]

By the mid 13th century, the Mongol Empire expanded in Eastern Europe. In 1241, the Mongol army defeated Poland in the Battle of Legnica. During the battle, the prince Möngke Khan captured a Templar who introduced him to the Order, creating the Mongolian Rite.[106] During this time, the Grand Prince of Vladimir Alexander Nevsky paid tribute to the Golden Horn to protect his country. In 1263, the Mongolian Assassin Nergüi killed Nevsky believing that his alliance with the Mongols hid something else.[107] Accompanying his father and uncle at Kublai Khan's court, the Assassin Marco Polo recovered Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex and brought it to Venice. He wrote an exaggerated account of his 20 years in the Far East.[16] Polo was also acquainted with the Italian Assassin Dante Alighieri who wrote the Divine Comedy.[108]

Jacques de Molay burning at the stake before King Philip IV and Pope Clement V

In 1291, Acre was captured by the Mamluks, ending the Crusader States. The Templars retreated to Europe, choosing as Grand Master Jacques de Molay, a Sage of the Isu Aita.[109] In 1307, the Mentor of the French Assassins Guillaume de Nogaret manipulated the King Philip IV of France and pope Clement V to arrest the Templar Order. On the night of the 13th of October, the Temple of Paris was stormed by Assassins disguised as Flemish mercenaries, and the Grand Master was arrested.[110] While the Assassins tracked the last Templars in Europe, de Molay taught to nine of his lieutenants the secrets of the Order and tasked them to reform the Templars as a secret organization. In 1314, the Grand Master was burnt at the stake, officially ending the Templar Order while in fact returning in the shadows.[111]

In the 1320s, the Templars killed Aligheri and Polo. Dante's pupil, Domenico dispatched the pages of Altaïr Codex in a cargo, preventing the Templars from recovering it. Later, he relocated to the Sienan city of Monteriggioni which became the headquarters of the Italian Brotherhood of Assassins, and founded the noble House of Auditore.[108]

Late Middle Ages

File:ACCR DYL Brothers of the Cross.png
The Brothers of the Cross during the plague

The Late Middle Ages were a turbulent time for Europe, struck first by the Great Famine (1315-1322), and then by Black Death between 1346 and 1353, killing hundreds of millions.[112] In 1350, the Templars posed as the Brothers of the Cross, traveling across the Holy Roman Empire, promising protection from the disease while searching for the Ankh, a Piece of Eden in Essen. The group mysteriously vanished as well as the Assassin Lukas Zurburg.[113]

During the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in Middle English The Canterbury Tales, a collection stories detailing the lives and concerns of a group of Christian pilgrims making their way to Canterbury Cathedral.[16]

Jeanne d'Arc with the Sword of Eden

Between 1337 and 1453, the French House of Valois and the English House of Plantagenet fought in the Hundred Years' War for the throne of France. In the late stage of the conflict, the Templars had among them the Duke John of Bedford, regent in France for Henry VI of England, the Duke Philip III of Burgundyand the chamberlain Georges de la Trémoille. The three Templars plotted to control the weak-willed Charles VII of France but his mother-in-law Yolande of Aragon, Mentor of the French Assassins, thwarted their plan. She recruited Jeanne d'Arc, a peasant with a high rate of Isu DNA and possessing a Sword of Eden. With the artifact, she led the French army to victory, strengthening Charles's legitimacy. In 1430, the Templars captured Jeanne, recovering the Sword and condemning her to be burned at the stake. The Assassins secretly saved her.[114]

In 1301, the Byzantine Empire was defeated at the Battle of Bapheus by Muslim Turks led by Osman I. Expanding on the Byzantine territories in Anatolia and Thrace, Osman I founded the Ottoman Empire.[115] In 1397, Sultan Bayezid I tried to conquer Constantinople but failed. To counter the Ottoman threat, the Byzantine emperors tried to ally with the Catholic West but this was limited. During the conflict, The Byzantines hired Spanish mercenaries like the Almogavars to fight the Turks. Among them was Ramon Muntaner who wrote his Cronica about the defense of Constantinople.[16] Through the dervshirme system, the Ottoman enrolled slave Christian boys from the Balkan to serve as Janissaries, their elite soldiers.[116]

In 1453, the Sultan Mehmet II, wielding an Apple of Eden, conquered Constantinople ending the Byzantine Empire.[49] Even if many churches of the city were transformed into mosques, the Ottoman authorized Orthodox to stay in the city, Constantinople becoming the cosmopolitan capital of the Empire.[115] During their expansion, the Ottomans entered into conflict with Wallachia and the Republic of Venice. At some point, the Mentor and Grand Vizier Ishak Pasha forged a peace with the Empire, permitting the Brotherhood to flourish in Constantinople.[117] The Valencian Joanot Martorell wrote Tirant lo Blanch, a romance novel set in the Byzantine empire, full of sensuous vitality, chivalrous daring, and good humor.[16]

Florence, heart of Italian Renaissance

By the 14th century, Italian city-states became the cradle of the Renaissance, an intellectual and artistic cultural movement emulating the revival of classical Greco-Roman studies and also the new philosophy of humanism.[118] The creation of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1439 in Strasbourg permitted the mass production of books and the spreading of Renaissance ideas across Europe.[119] The Republic of Venice became one of the wealthiest cities in the world thanks to its fleet, even defeating the Republic of Genoa on the sea.[57] In the Republic of Florence, its leading statesman Lorenzo de' Medici sponsored many artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, and the city became the center of the Renaissance.[120] In 1460, the Hermeticist teaching was rediscovered through the work of Marsilio Ficino.[121]

During this period, the Roman Templars led by Grand Master Rodrigo Borgia planned to unify Italy under their banner. As they supported the House of Pazzi's plot to control Florence and the House of Barbarigo's scheme to claim Venice, the Italian Assassins led by the House of Auditore thwarted their plans. The two factions also searched Altaïr's Codex pages to localize an Isu vault in Italy. In 1488, the Templars brought Mehmet II's Apple of Eden from Cyprus to Venice but the Assassins took it.[122] While escorting it to Forli, the Templars led an attack on the city. The two groups lost the artifact as the monk Girolamo Savonarola took the Apple.[123]

In the late 15th century, the Christian kingdoms of Spain began to unite. Around 1458, pope Callixtus III gave to King Alfonso V of Aragon the prong of Faith that was later inherited by his successors.[30] In 1478, after King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile married, the Spanish Inquisition established to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, prosecuting anyone who was suspected to be heretics for nearly four centuries.[124] In 1481, the first Auto-da-fé happened in Seville with six persons burnt at the stake. In 1483, the Jews were expelled from Andalusia and a new court was formed with a 30-day grace period for Jews to renounce their religion. Torture was used to extract confessions and relapsed Jews were burned.[125]

Siege of Granada

The Master Templar Tomás de Torquemada became the Grand Inquisitor and branded the Spanish Assassins as heretics to track them. In the late 1480s, Spain entered into war with the Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim state in Iberia. By 1491, the Assassins associated with emir Muhammad XII of Granada and entrusted him an Apple of Eden. The Templars abducted the emir's son Ahmed to take the Apple while also advising him to continue to resist the Spanish siege of Granada. The Italian Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze convinced the emir to surrender while the Assassin Aguilar de Nerha took back the Apple and entrusted it to the navigator Christoffa Corombo. With the Treaty of Granada, Spain was unified by the Catholic kingdoms, ending the Reconquista.[63] In 1492, the Alhambra Decree formally expelled all Jews from Spain. Tens of thousands were baptized in the three months before the deadline for expulsion. Around 40,000 left the country.[126]

By 1498, Tomas de Torquemada gathered the parts of the Shattered Staff of Eden and went to the Isu Forge under the Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás in Avila to repair the artifact. With the Staff, the Templar created an army of tangible holograms but was killed by the Assassins who destroyed the Staff leading to the collapse of the Forge.[127] In 1504, the Brotherhood assassinated Queen Isabella of Castile as she was influenced by the Templars.[128] In 1511, the Grand Inquisitor Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros accused the Assassins to having killed a cardinal, but the Brotherhood brought him the true culprits.[129]

Early Modern Era

Italian Wars

In 1492, the Grand Master of the Italian Rite Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander VI, increasing the Templar influence across Europe with Rome at its center.[130] In 1494, France invaded the Italian peninsula, beginning the Italian Wars, opposing the French, the Spanish, and the Italians for over six decades.[131] During the conflict, Girolamo Savonarola took control of Florence with the Apple of Eden and established a theocracy. During the Bonfire of the Vanities both Assassins and Templars tried to recover the Piece of Eden.[132] In 1498, the Master Assassin Ezio Auditore took the Apple, ending Savonarola's rule and Florence became once again a republic.[133]

The Assassins Brotherhood in Rome

While the pope tried to unify through conspiracies, his son Cesare Borgia allied with the French to conquer all of Italy to become king.[134] In January 1500, after his father was defeated by Ezio who entered the Vatican vault, Cesare led an attack on the Assassin headquarters of Monteriggioni, killing their leader Mario Auditore and taking back the Apple of Eden.[135] Ezio relocated the Assassins to Rome, recruiting its harassed citizens into the Brotherhood to fight the Templars both in Italy and across Europe.[136] In 1503, the Assassins took back the Apple and freed Rome from the Borgia.[137]

While Louis XII of France was fighting in Italy, the Templars infiltrated his court in Paris as advisors. The Assassins protected the scholar Desiderius Erasmus from the Templars and killed the advisors.[138] In London, the Brotherhood helped King Henry VII of England against Templar plots, killing Margaret of York and eliminating the Templars sitting in the Star Chamber.[139] The Assassins also convinced the German scholar Conradus Celtis to not publish a book about the Brotherhood.[140]

During this period, mercenaries from Switzerland served as elite guards from different courts, like the Swiss Guards in France.[141] During the Swabian War, the Swiss mercenaries defeated the Holy Roman Empire troops of Maximilian I. Some of the Swiss commanders were hired by the Borgia in the Papal Guard. The Assassins captured and brought them before the emperor to thwart the relationship between Maximilian and the Borgia.[142] Later, these Swiss commanders, with the help of the Assassins and the knight Georg von Frundsberg, trained the first of the Landsknechte to rival the Swiss mercenaries.[143] Pope Julius II also hired Swiss in the Papal Guard.[144]

Ezio Auditore seeing the Navarrese Army going to Viana

After Cesare imprisonnement, Spain conquered Naples from the French in 1503 with the help of the Venetian Assassin Bartolomeo d'Alviano.[145] In March 1507, Cesare Borgia led the Navarrese army to take back Viana Castle from the Castillans and bring back the influence of the Templars.[146] During the siege, Cesare was killed by Ezio, thwarting the Templars' return in European politics for decades.[147]

In 1509, Venice and their allies fought the troops of Louis XII of France during the War of the League of Cambrai. During the Battle of Agnadello, Bartolomeo d'Alviano was captured by the French and his cousin Niccolò di Pitigliano stole the original Shroud of Eden to the Assassins.[148] A year later, the Assassin Francesco Vecellio recovered the artifact in Lonigo, leaving Niccolò dying in his burning house.[149]

In 1511, when the French occupied Genoa, the Ottoman Assassins helped the Captain Andrea Doria orchestrating a citizens' revolt.[150] As it was only a mild success, the Assassins protected Doria.[151] In Marseille, the Templars influenced the French King to banish the Assassins.[152] With their Ottoman brethren, they hindered the army effort and recruited some soldiers in their ranks.[153] When the Templars planned to assassinate Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Assassins protected him and eliminated the Templars of Madrid.[154]

At the end of the War of the League of Cambrai, France and Venice allied against Milan. Bartolomeo d'Alviano fought on the French side, participating in the battle of Marignano in 1515, attacking the hired Swiss mercenaries with a corps of only 300 knights. A year later, he died at the siege of Ghedi.[145]

During the wars, French culture was influenced by Italian arts. King Francis I of France hired the artist Leonardo da Vinci and granted him a home in Amboise where he finished his Mona Lisa. In 1519, just before he died, Leonardo met his friend Ezio one last time.[155] On his deathbed, he wrote his last desires for the then retired-Mentor, asking him to find Havens across Europe to train the Assassins.[156]

Fight for Mediterranean hegemony

Between 1499 and 1502, the Venice Republic and the Ottoman Empire were at war. During the battle of Zonchio, the Ottomans destroyed the Venetian navy and conquered Lepanto, Modone, and Corone.[157] The Assassins from both sides permitted the peace between the two states.[158]

In Lisbon, when King Manuel I of Portugal was influenced by Spain to establish the Inquisition and force the conversion, the Assassins protected some of the citizens and trained them to fight oppression.[159] As many Iberians went to Constantinople to flee the persecution, Manuel infiltrated spies among the migrants but the Assassins replaced them.[160] In the meantimes, the Spanish took control of the coastal cities of North Africa, Algiers and Tripoli among them.[161]

Ezio Auditore and Yusuf Tazim watching over Constantinople

In 1509, Constantinople was struck by an earthquake and a Civil War began between the sultan Bayezid II and his son Selim who was supported by the Janissaries.[162] In a plan to end the difference and the wars between the West and the East, the Prince Ahmet became the leader of the Byzantine Templars and searched the Masyaf Keys across Constantinople to open the Library of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and found the Grand Temple.[163] As the Byzantine soldiers took the streets of Constantinople, the Ottoman Assassins led by Yusuf Tazim and reorganized by Mentor Ezio Auditore fought the Templars in the city.[164] In 1512, the Assassins recovered all Masyaf Keys and broke the Templars while Selim became the new sultan and killed his brother Ahmet.[165]

Across the Mediterranean Sea, the Ottoman Assassins fought the Templars.[161] In Athens, the Templars bribed the Ottoman soldiers to loot the homes of wealthy citizens. The Assassins defended the citizens and killed the Templars in the city.[166] In Rhodes, after the Knights Hospitalier, captured many Assassins and killed the Master Assassin Castor, in retaliation the Brotherhood attacked the Knight compound Ataviros.[167] The Assassins also defend the island against corsairs attacks.[168] As the Templars in Tripoli were commanded from Rhodes, the Assassins cut their communications.[169] In Algiers, the Assassins fought the Spanish influence, allying with the pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa and protecting the Moors population of the island Penon.[170]

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mediterranean Sea became a battlefield between the Ottoman Empire and the Catholic states. In 1565, the sultan Suleiman I, an ally of the Assassins, ordered the siege of Malta which was held by the Knights Hospitalier but the Ottomans failed to take the island.[171] From 1648 to 1669, the Ottomans besieged the Venetian city of Candia in Krete and took possession of the island.[172] In 1687, during the Morean War, the Republic of Venice besieged Athens and inadvertently blew up the Parthenon by destroying the Ottoman's gunpowder stock with a cannonball.[173]

In the 17th century, the Pirates from Barbary Coasts were still actively attacking ships from Europe.[174] In the mid-18th century, the Assassins were influencing the French Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire to fight the Knight of Malta, provocating revolts among the Muslim slaves on the island.[171]

Sciences, arts and occultism

Copernicus and Ezio Auditore observing the lunar eclipse

The Renaissance and humanism paved the way for new ideas. In May 1500, when the Templar astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus wanted to share his research on Heliocentrism, the Master of the Sacred Palace Giuliano ordered to kill him.[175] He was protected by the Master Assassin Ezio Auditore who killed Giuliano during the lunar eclipse.[176] The Brotherhood continued to protect Copernicus from the Templars in the following years.[177] His research was only published after he died in 1543.[178] Astronomy developped further with the work of Petrus Apianus in his Introductio Geographica.[179]

In 1506, the Cult of Hermes was active in Rome, led by Ercole Massimo. After a failed attempt to take the Apple of Eden to Auditore, the Hermeticists associated with Leonardo Da Vinci to find the Temple of Pythagoras. When the painter refused to help them further, they abducted him and forced him to reveal the location.[180] Auditore saved his friend, killing Massimo and his followers before discovering with Leonardo what the Temple contained.[181] By 1509, the Cult was led by Seraphina who searched to avenge her father and brother's death by Auditore. She allied with the Templar Francesco Rizzo to attack Monteriggioni while the Cult searched the Staff of Hermes in Venice.[182] Auditore eliminated both of them and discovered that the Staff was only a replica.[183]

Giovanni and Maria running in the streets of Troyes

The hermeticist teaching continued to spread among scholars. The Book of Abraham written by the alchemist Nicolas Flamel took the interest of both the Assassins and the Templars. By 1520, the Assassin and physician Bombastus possessed one-half of the book. In 1527, he sent his Hermeticist apprentice Maria Amiel and the Assassin Giovanni Borgia to recover the second half in Paris but they found only a copy.[184] Returning to Basel, they discovered that Bombastus became mad by the book's influence and they stole the first part.[185]

While the Grand Duchy of Moscow expanded, the Italian Assassin infiltrated the Kremlin in the late 1490s. As Ivan III of Russia was about to uncover the Brotherhood, the Assassins spread rumors about the revival of the Strigolniki Sect.[186] In 1581, as the Templars influenced the Tsarevitch Ivan Ivanovich of Russia, the Assassins killed him.[187]

Prague, city of sciences and occultism

In the late 16th century, the court of the Holy Roman emperor Rudolf II in Prague became an intellectual center with the scientist Johannes Kepler, the alchemist Michael Maier, the painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo and the writer Elizabeth Jane Weston.[188] By 1587, the English occultists Edward Kelley and John Dee possessed the two volumes of the Book of Abraham and used them to create gold for the emperor.[189] As Kelley became more obsessed with the book, Dee stole it and left the city.[190] During this period, the Isu book later known as the Voynich manuscript was possessed by the emperor.

As Cosmology evolved, it was sometimes restrained by the Church. In 1600, the Roman Inquisition burnt at stake the scholar Giordano Bruno for his unorthodox beliefs,[191] and in 1633 Galileo Galilei was condemned for promoting Heliocentrism.[192] However, the Scientific Revolution happened, sponsored by the Templars to influence the rulers and the population for their New World Order. To promote science and rationalism, the Order influenced and used the research of Francis Bacon, Baruch Spinoza, John Locke and Isaac Newton.[193] Other scientists flourished during this time, like Athanasius Kircher, René Descartes and Thomas Burnet.[194]

Between the 16th and the 18th century, the Baroque style influenced European architecture and paintings with artists like Claude Lorrain.[195] The Dutch Golden Age painting was held by artists like Gerard van Honthorst, Willem van de Velde the Younger, Pieter Claesz and even influenced British painting with Peter Lely.[196] New musical instruments were created and instrument makers became famous, like Hendrik Richters with his oboes, and Antonio Stradivari with his violoncelli.[197]

The Montgolfière

In the 18th century, new sources of energy were discovered, like electricity that could be created through an Electrostatic Generator.[198] In 1745, the scientist Pieter van Musschenbroek created the Leyden jar to stock electricity.[199] Electricity was used in the Flying Magnetic Boy Experiments conducted by Stephen Gray and Abbé Nollet.[200] Steam developped as a energy used for Newcomen engine and later James Watt's steam engine, permitting to wast less coal.[201] New scientific fields developped, like chemistry with Humphry Davy and Antoine Lavoisier who isolated elemental potassium.[202] In Leeds , the minister and philosopher Joseph Priestley made the first drinkable soda by performing scientific experiments above the vats in a brewery.[203] In 1783, the brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier invented the first recorded hot air balloon and the first successful human-carrying flight technology.[204]

Reformation and persecutions

Martin Luther

At this time, Christendom knew a massive change through reform. In 1502, the elector Friedrich der Weise of Saxe opened the University of Wittenberg dedicated to religious reform. The Assassins founded the construction using Templars' money.[205] Fifteen years later, in the same city, the German monk Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-five Theses to a church door, disputing the claim that absolution from sin can be paid for. Excommunicated by the Pope Leo X and condemned as an outlaw, Luther became the figurehead of the Protestant Reformation, splitting Europe between Catholic and Protestant states.[206]

The Church reacted with the Counter-Reformation, with Pope Paul III establishing the Roman Inquisition, while in Spain over a hundred Lutherans were put on trial and burnt in 1558, ending the Protestantism in Iberia.[207] In 1559, Pope Paul IV established the Pauline Index, a list of publications deemed heretical, anti-clerical, or lascivious that were banned from the Church.[208] In 1563, the last session of the Council of Trent was held, issuing more condemnations of what it defined to be heresies punishable by death, and published the Tridentine Index, a list of forbidden books.[209]

Depiction of Elizabeth I of England with an Apple of Eden

The Protestant Reformation had a major impact on some kingdoms. In England, King Henry VIII severed the ties with the Catholic Church while his daughter Queen Mary I established back Catholicism, allying herself with the Templars. In 1558, Mary I was killed by the Assassins who allied with her half-sister Elizabeth who possessed an Apple of Eden. In 1559, Elizabeth became Queen of England and restored Protestantism.[210] In France, the division between Catholics and Protestants led to the French Wars of Religion and events like the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. Henry IV, who was protestant before he became king, converted to Catholicism in 1593, bringing stability and peace to France.[211]

During this era, persecution against unorthodox beliefs increased. In Spain, the Inquisition trialed bigamists, blasphemers, and witches. In 1609, King Philip III ordered the expulsion of the Moriscos, descendants of converted Muslims. An estimated 300 000, roughly 4% of the Spanish population, were forced to leave the country.[212] In France, the Templar Pierre de Lancre instigated a witch-hunt in Labourd to recover the original Shroud of Eden from the Brotherhood. Even if some Assassins like Isaac du Queyran were burnt at the stake, the artifact was taken by the Assassin Margaux who fled to the New World.[213]

During the 17th century, the Freemasons society was created, assembling men of different religions. They were persecuted in some countries like Spain.[212] Spreading to the New World, they brought an Apple of Eden in Americas.[214]

Contestation of Monarchy

By the 17th century, the religious division challenged the divine right of the monarchs. In 1605, Guy Fawkes and other Catholic conspirators planned to blow up the Palace of Westminster to kill the king and members of Parliament but they were arrested by Sir Thomas Knyvet.[215] In 1610, the religious fanatic Francois de Ravaillac assassinated Henry IV of France.[211]

Charles II's coronation at Westminster

Between 1642 and 1651, the English Civil War opposed King Charles I against the Parliament's troops. After the king was trialed and executed, a Puritan Republic was established in the British Isles led by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell and later his son Richard.[216] While the Stuart's heir Charles was exiled to France, he was recalled as the population was dissatisfied with Cromwell's rule.[217] In 1661, Charles returned to England and became king.[218] In France, after the Fronde revolt, King Louis XIV left Paris and established his new residence in the Palace of Versailles, showing his control over the French State. The Palace became a symbol of the Absolute Monarchy and the Ancien Régime.[219]

By 1688, King James II of England who was an overt Roman Catholic, followed policies of religious tolerance and his proximity to France. Fearing that he established a Catholic dynasty, English Parliamentarians persuaded William of Orange to cross the English Channel from the Netherlands. James II was overthrown during the Glorious Revolution and William became king of England. The aftermath of these events led to the Bill of Rights and to restrictions to the monarch's power.[220]

Denis Diderot

By the 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment spread across Europe, challenging Absolute Monarchy and the power of the Church. In Spain, the increasing numbers of licenses to possess and read prohibited texts were granted and inquisitorial activity began winding down. Leading figures of the Spanish Enlightenment pushed for the abolition of the Inquisition and foreign Enlightenment texts proved popular among members of the nobility and government.[221] In France, philosophers and writers like Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Pierre Beaumarchais criticized the Ancien Régime and Denis Diderot published the Encyclopédie, compiling knowledge on the sciences and arts.[222][223] The Scottish moral philosopher Adam Smith became one of the most influential figures within classical liberalism, introducing the concept of the "invisible hand" which greatly influenced the Templars.[224]

In 1762, Tsar Ivan III of Russia was removed from power by a coup led by his wife Catherine and nobles. After his abdication, Catherine became the empress of Russia and Ivan was assassinated, possibly by the Brotherhood.[225]

Appearances

References

  1. Assassin's Creed II
  2. Assassin's Creed III
  3. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyThe Fate of Atlantis
  4. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaView Above All
  5. Assassin's Creed IIX Marks the Spot
  6. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyThe Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of AtlantisIsu codex: "Encrypted message from "Phanes", I of IV"
  7. Assassin's Creed IIThe Truth
  8. 8.0 8.1 Assassin's Creed IIIn Bocca al Lupo
  9. 9.0 9.1 Assassin's Creed: RevelationsModern day
  10. 10.0 10.1 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaFloating conversations: Tombs of the Fallen
  11. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaA Feast to Remember
  12. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDawn of Ragnarök
  13. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaAnimus Anomalies: AA_Complete
  14. Assassin's Creed IIGlyphs
  15. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyLayla Hassan's personal files: "Packing for Greece: Greece"
  16. 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ACR
  17. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyDivine Science: Chapter 2 – Kyros of Zarax
  18. 18.0 18.1 Assassin's Creed: OdysseyA Fresh Start
  19. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyThe Gates of Atlantis
  20. Discovery Tour: Ancient GreeceTours: Democracy in Athens
  21. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsAbstergo Files: "File.0.02\Hst_Beginning"
  22. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyBully the Bullies
  23. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyHistorical Locations – Boeotia: Battleground of Plataia
  24. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyThe Serpent's Lair
  25. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyLegacy of the First Blade
  26. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyAncient Revelations
  27. Assassin's Creed: OdysseyLayla Hassan's personal files: "Herodotos and His Work"
  28. Discovery Tour: Ancient GreeceTours: School of Greece - Theater: "The Greek Theater"
  29. Discovery Tour: Ancient GreeceTours: School of Greece - Philosophy: "Classical Philosophers"
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants
  31. Discovery Tour: Ancient EgyptTours: The Great Library of Alexandria: "Kallimachos (c.310-240 BCE)"
  32. Discovery Tour: Ancient EgyptTours: The Great Library of Alexandria: "Euclid (c. 4th-3rd century BCE)"
  33. Discovery Tour: Ancient EgyptTours: The Great Library of Alexandria: "Eratosthenes (c.276-195 BCE)"
  34. Assassin's Creed: MirageDatabase: Seleucia-on-the-Tigris
  35. Assassin's Creed: InitiatesDatabase: Pirates of the Mediterranean
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodDatabase: Roma
  37. Discovery Tour: Ancient EgyptTours: Roman Military Equipment: "Adopting the Enemy's Technology"
  38. Assassin's Creed: OriginsThe Good Roman
  39. Assassin's Creed: OriginsAya: Blade of the Goddess
  40. Assassin's Creed: OriginsLast of the Medjay
  41. Assassin's Creed: OriginsFall of an Empire, Rise of Another
  42. Assassin's Creed: Origins (comic)
  43. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: Boudicca
  44. 44.0 44.1 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: The Hidden Ones
  45. Assassin's Creed IIFloating conversations: Unlocking Monteriggioni's Secrets
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaA Brief History of the Hidden Ones
  47. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsAnabasis Alexandri
  48. 48.0 48.1 Assassin's Creed IIGlyph #5: "Instrument of Power"
  49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 Assassin's Creed: RevelationsDatabase: Byzantines
  50. Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – The Siege of Alexandria: "Lost Knowledge"
  51. 51.0 51.1 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: The Order of the Ancients
  52. Discovery Tour: Ancient EgyptTours: The Great Library of Alexandria: "Hypatia (c. 350/370-415 CE)"
  53. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodDatabase: Porta Salaria
  54. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Swan-Road Home
  55. 55.0 55.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse
  56. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodDatabase: Porta Asinaria
  57. 57.0 57.1 Assassin's Creed IIDatabase: Venezia
  58. Discovery Tour: Viking AgeLearnings: Bishops: A Divided Duty
  59. Discovery Tour: Viking AgeLearnings: Monasteries: Many Roles
  60. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: Saxons
  61. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: Picts
  62. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: Britons
  63. 63.0 63.1 Assassin's Creed (film)
  64. 64.0 64.1 Assassin's Creed: MirageDatabase: The Abbasids ... and their Rivals
  65. Assassin's Creed: MirageDatabase: Baghdadi Exports
  66. 66.0 66.1 Assassin's Creed: MirageDatabase: Translation Movement
  67. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaSiege of ParisFrancia
  68. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaViking Expansion notes: Fulke's Journal
  69. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: Vikings
  70. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaWrath of the DruidsDatabase: Bárid mac Ímair
  71. Assassin's Creed: The Golden City
  72. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Blood Brothers
  73. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaWar Weary
  74. 74.0 74.1 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Last ChapterFare Thee Well, King Fair-Hair
  75. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaA Cruel Destiny
  76. 76.0 76.1 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaTo Serve the Light...
  77. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaA Brother's Keeper
  78. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Poor Fellow-Soldier
  79. Discovery Tour: Viking AgeLearnings: Baptism and Victory
  80. Discovery Tour: Viking AgeLearnings: Christianization
  81. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Hidden Codex
  82. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaWrath of the DruidsDatabase: The Children of Danu
  83. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaWrath of the DruidsA Scourging of Snakes
  84. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaWrath of the DruidsThe Cost of Betrayal
  85. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Siege of ParisDatabase: Bellatores Dei
  86. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Siege of ParisThe Siege of Paris
  87. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Siege of ParisThe Count of Paris
  88. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Siege of ParisMadness of King Charles
  89. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Siege of ParisEivor's letters
  90. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaAssassin's Creed Crossover StoriesNight and Day
  91. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaAssassin's Creed Crossover StoriesWhat Dreams May Come
  92. Assassin's Creed: MirageDatabase: Papermaking
  93. Assassin's Creed: MirageDatabase: Greeks Bearing Gifts
  94. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMission to Constantinople
  95. Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants - Fate of the Gods
  96. Assassin's Creed: InitiatesDatabase: Daring Viking Explorer
  97. Discovery Tour: Viking AgeLearnings: Peacemaking, Peacebreaking
  98. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodDatabase: Napoli
  99. Assassin's Creed: A Walk Through History (1189-1868) – Chapter 1: The Third Crusade – Historical Overview: The Rise of Saladin
  100. Assassin's Creed: Initiates – Timeline
  101. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsAbstergo Files: "File.0.03\Hst_GoldenAge"
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  103. Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade
  104. Assassin's Creed: Encyclopedia
  105. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1231
  106. Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan
  107. Assassin's Creed: MemoriesAlexander Nevsky
  108. 108.0 108.1 Assassin's Creed IIPaying Respects
  109. Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: Jacques de Molay
  110. Assassin's Creed: UnityThe Tragedy of Jacques de Molay
  111. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsAbstergo Files: "File.0.06\Hst_VoxInExcelso"
  112. Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: 21. Medieval
  113. Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Discover Your Legacy
  114. Assassin's Creed: Heresy
  115. 115.0 115.1 Assassin's Creed: RevelationsDatabase: Ottomans
  116. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsDatabase: Janissaries
  117. Assassin's Creed: RebellionDatabase: Ishak Pasha
  118. Assassin's Creed: Renaissance"
  119. Assassin's Creed: InitiatesDatabase: The Printing Press
  120. Assassin's Creed IIDatabase: Firenze
  121. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodThe Da Vinci DisappearanceDatabase: Hermeticists
  122. Assassin's Creed IIPlay Along
  123. Assassin's Creed IIBattle of ForlìCheccomate
  124. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1478
  125. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1481
  126. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1492
  127. Assassin's Creed: RebellionThe Forge
  128. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – Closure
  129. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "Just Following Orders, Part I"
  130. Assassin's Creed IIDatabase: Rodrigo Borgia
  131. Assassin's Creed: IdentityDatabase: War of the League of Cambrai
  132. Assassin's Creed IIBonfire of the VanitiesFlorentine Fiasco
  133. Assassin's Creed IIBonfire of the VanitiesMob Justice
  134. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodDatabase: Cesare Borgia
  135. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodVilified
  136. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodMan of the People
  137. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodAll Roads Lead To...
  138. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – On the trails
  139. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – Star Chamber
  140. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – Forget to Mention
  141. Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: Swiss Guard
  142. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – A Slap to the Face
  143. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – Raising an Army
  144. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)
  145. 145.0 145.1 Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodDatabase: Bartolomeo d'Alviano
  146. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodDatabase: Viana
  147. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodPax Romana
  148. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyItalian Wars: Chapter 1 – Bartolomeo d'Alviano – Stand!
  149. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyItalian Wars: Chapter 2 – Francesco Vecellio – Side Effects
  150. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "Rebels With A Cause, Part II"
  151. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "Rebels With A Cause, Part III"
  152. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "By Any Other Name, Part III"
  153. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "By Any Other Name, Part II"
  154. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "Just Following Orders, Part III"
  155. Assassin's Creed: Revelations novel
  156. Assassin's Creed: The Last Quest of Leonardo da Vinci
  157. Assassin's Creed IIDatabase: Agostino Barbarigo
  158. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – My Enemy's Enemy
  159. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – A Fighting Chance
  160. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – Weeds and Seeds
  161. 161.0 161.1 Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense
  162. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsA Warm Welcome
  163. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsDiscovery
  164. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsThe Prisoner
  165. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsEnd of the Road
  166. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "For The People, Part III"
  167. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "The Knights, Part III"
  168. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "Amid The Rubble"
  169. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "The Demolition Man, Part III"
  170. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsMediterranean Defense: "An Eye For A Helping Hand"
  171. 171.0 171.1 Assassin's Creed: RogueWar Letters – The Hospitaller's Plea
  172. Assassin's Creed: UnityBracers of Candia
  173. Discovery Tour: Ancient GreeceThe Akropolis of Athens: "Parthenon Exterior"
  174. Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagDatabase: "An English Ship in Action with Barbary Vessels"
  175. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodCopernicus ConspiracyFalse Censorship
  176. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodCopernicus ConspiracyClose the Book
  177. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyRome: Chapter 3 – Francesco Vecellio – Spacemen
  178. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodCopernicus ConspiracyDatabase: Niccolò Copernico
  179. Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagDatabase: "Introductio Geographica"
  180. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodThe Da Vinci DisappearanceA Roll of the Dice
  181. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodThe Da Vinci DisappearanceThe Temple of Pythagoras
  182. Assassin's Creed: Nexus VRMonteriggioni Tunnels
  183. Assassin's Creed: Nexus VRCult of Hermes Reborn
  184. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyDivine Science: Chapter 1 – Maria Amiel – Descendants
  185. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyDivine Science: Chapter 1 – Maria Amiel – Book Keeper
  186. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – Scapegoats
  187. Assassin's Creed IIGlyphs #15: "Guardians"
  188. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyDivine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston – Introduction Video
  189. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyDivine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston – Wisdom
  190. Assassin's Creed: Project LegacyDivine Science: Chapter 3 – Elizabeth Jane Weston – Wrath
  191. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1600
  192. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1633
  193. Assassin's Creed: RevelationsAbstergo Files: "File.0.15\Hst_NewOrder"
  194. Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagDatabase: "Sacred Theory of the Earth"
  195. Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagDatabase: "Harbour Scene at Sunset"
  196. Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagDatabase: "Nymphs By A Fountain"
  197. Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagDatabase: Violoncello
  198. Assassin's Creed IIIDatabase: Electrostatic Generator
  199. Assassin's Creed IIIDatabase: Leyden Jar
  200. Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: Flying Magnetic Boy Experiments
  201. Assassin's Creed IIIDatabase: Watt Steam Engine
  202. Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: Potassium/Water Reaction
  203. Assassin's Creed IIIDatabase: Joseph Priestley's Soda Apparatus
  204. Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: Montgolfier Flight
  205. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodContracts – School Tax
  206. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1517
  207. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1558
  208. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1559
  209. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1563
  210. Assassin's Creed: SyndicateDatabase: St. Paul's Cathedral
  211. 211.0 211.1 Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: Statue of Henri IV
  212. 212.0 212.1 Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1570-1613
  213. Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Witches of the Moors
  214. Assassin's Creed IIGlyphs: Descendants
  215. Assassin's Creed: SyndicateDatabase: 10 Downing Street
  216. Assassin's Creed: InitiatesDatabase: Executed After Death
  217. Assassin's Creed: InitiatesDatabase: Stepped Ashore as King
  218. Assassin's Creed: InitiatesDatabase: Monarchy Restored
  219. Assassin's Creed: UnityDatabase: Village de Versailles
  220. Assassin's Creed: Initiates – Timeline:1688 – Glorious Revolution
  221. Assassin's Creed DNA – Timeline: 1720's
  222. Project Widow – Thinking man's café
  223. Assassin's Creed: UnityEncyclopédie Diderot
  224. Assassin's Creed: BrotherhoodRifts – Cluster 2
  225. Who's In Your Blood?: Catherine the Great

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