Leopard
The leopard is a felid in the genus Panthera characterized by its yellow fur marked with rosettes. Similar in appearance to the jaguar of the Americas,[1] it is native to Africa and Asia.
History[edit | edit source]
5th century BCE[edit | edit source]
In the wilds of ancient Greece, leopards hunted as did lions, wolves, and bears. The Spartan misthios Kassandra hunted and tamed some of them. The fur of a leopard was considered exotic, and was valued at 47 drachmae.[2]
1st century BCE[edit | edit source]
Historically, leopard furs were valued by humans in places such as Egypt for insulation against cold and windy weather, and as a status symbol: the pelts were especially sought by various priests. In 48 BCE, one leopard pelt was worth 50 drachmae.[3]
16th century[edit | edit source]
During his reign, the Chinese Zhengde Emperor would occasionally have his favorite concubine, Shao Jun, demonstrate her agility by dancing atop a caged leopard to entertain himself and his court.[4]
18th century[edit | edit source]
Among the treasures he gathered during his adventures, Alonzo Batilla also had an ivory sculpture featuring a sacred leopard.[5]
Animus mods[edit | edit source]
In 2020, while reliving Eivor's genetic memories through the Portable Animus HR-8.5, the Assassin Layla Hassan modified the Animus interface to allow for a variety of skins to be applied to her horse:
| Image | Name | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cath Palug | Kitty, little kitty, With one claw you kill the fisherman's family. Kitty, monstrous kitty, One day you will sit on King Arthur's dead body. |
Reda's Shop or Holy Knight Pack | |
| Svartr | This mount appears as if summoned out of your own shadow, just beyond your field of vision, every time it is called forth. | Reda's Shop or Dark Knight Pack | |
| White Fang | Obviously named for its visual traits, instead of being based on some fancy mythical animal or creature of legend. | Reda's Shop or Ullr's Hunter Pack |
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Realistically and despite the Greeks having knowledge of them, leopards are not known to have been native to Ancient Greece, unlike lions. However there have been unconfirmed sighting in the past on Greek islands, especially on those near the coast of Turkey.
In Assassin's Creed: Origins, leopard skins were the only legendary animal skins in the game, overshadowing lions and crocodiles whose skins were listed as rare.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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A leopard in 5th century BCE Greece -
A sleeping leopard in 9th century Baghdad -
A leopard in the Cambodian jungle
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Pirates (first mentioned)
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (Animus mod only)
- Assassin's Creed: Mirage
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice – Apocalypse