Safavid Empire
The Safavid Empire (1501–1736) was one of the most powerful regimes of Iran. It established Shi'a Islam as the official religion of the country, with enormous ramifications for Middle Eastern politics for centuries to come.
The dynasty rose to power at the turn of the 16th century, unifying Iran, and in short order, challenging the power of the Ottoman Empire to the west.
History[edit | edit source]
In 1511, the Turkmen Templar Shahkulu launched an uprising against the Ottoman Empire in collaboration with the Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order. Raised by pro-Safavid sympathizers, he led his revolt under the nominal banner of the Iranian dynasty, but his ultimate loyalties lay with the Templars.[1] In March 1512, he was slain by the Mentor Ezio Auditore da Firenze in Derinkuyu during an Assassin operation to destroy the Byzantine Rite, ending his movement.[2]
Around this time, the Safavid dynasty formed a secret alliance with Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri of the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt against their common enemy, Sultan Bayezid II of the Ottoman Empire. During an Ottoman blockade of the roads north of Damascus, then governed by the Mamluks, Turkish Assassins protected local civilians by luring their army away from the city. In the midst of their withdrawal, Safavid forces moved in to secure the power vacuum. Lack of opposition from the Mamluks led the Assassins to suspect the existence of their alliance with the Safavids, and they subsequently verified this with spies in the Safavid camp. These same spies also uncovered an impending joint military operation against Bursa. As the Assassins themselves were allied with Bayezid II, they assassinated the Safavid high command stationed in Damascus to sabotage their campaign.[3]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed III (mentioned only)