The shadow war between the Assassins and their ideological counterparts forms the structural backbone of Ubisoft's flagship historical franchise. While players spend dozens of hours scaling towers and executing targets, the overarching narrative tracks a millennia-spanning conflict over human free will versus absolute control. The secret society pulling the strings behind global revolutions isn't a single monolithic group, but an evolving lineage of power-brokers stretching from ancient dynasties to modern corporate conglomerates.
At its core, the series uses real-world historical turning points—such as the Crusades, the Renaissance, and the French Revolution—as a backdrop for a secret struggle involving ancient precursor artifacts known as Pieces of Eden. Understanding this hidden faction requires looking past individual game titles to trace how the antagonists transformed across centuries of human history.
From Ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages: The Order of the Ancients
Long before the Knights Templar donned white mantles with red crosses, the ideological ancestors of the series' primary villains operated under a different name. Established during Egypt's Eighteenth Dynasty by Pharaoh Smenkhkare, the Order of the Ancients sought to harness leftover technology from an advanced precursor race called the Isu.
This proto-Templar society believed that humanity was inherently chaotic, violent, and incapable of self-governance. Their stated objective was noble in their own eyes: to shepherd humankind toward peace and stability by stamping out individuality. To achieve this, the Ancients embedded themselves within ruling classes across various civilizations, manipulating monarchs and religious leaders from the shadows. Further reporting on this trend has been provided by BBC.
Key milestones of this early secret society include:
- The Persian Empire: Assisting Darius I and Xerxes I to suppress regional revolts and consolidate absolute power.
- Ancient Greece: Operating under the guise of the Cult of Kosmos during the Peloponnesian War to steer the fate of Athens and Sparta.
- Roman Republic: Manipulating political structures right up to the assassination of Julius Caesar by the nascent Hidden Ones.
The Birth of the Knights Templar
As centuries passed, the Order of the Ancients evolved into more structured military and monastic networks. By the Middle Ages, they formalized their operations into the Knights Templar, overlapping with the real-world military order established to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land.
In the franchise's canon, the historical suppression of the Templars by King Philip IV and Pope Clement V in the early 14th century was merely a public setback. While Grand Master Jacques de Molay was burned at the stake, the inner sanctum of the secret society survived underground. They pivoted away from open military crusades into banking, trade, and political espionage.
Hijacking Revolutions: The Shift to Modernity
One of the most significant turning points in the secret society's operational strategy occurred during the late 18th century. As explored in Assassin's Creed Unity, Grand Master François-Thomas Germain recognized that controlling nobility and monarchs was becoming obsolete.
Instead of manipulating kings, the secret society engineered and capitalized on social upheaval—such as the French Revolution—to shift their influence toward the rising middle class, industrial tycoons, and bureaucratic institutions. This tactical pivot allowed them to survive the collapse of feudalism and lay the groundwork for modern corporate dominance.
According to Ubisoft's official Assassin's Creed lore overview, this transition enabled the secret society to transform into Abstergo Industries in the modern era, replacing swords and hidden blades with data surveillance and pharmaceutical monopolies.
Common Misconceptions About the Secret Society
Players often conflate the fictional depiction of these societies with actual historical records. Clarifying these boundaries highlights how the writers blend real history with science fiction:
- Real vs. Fiction: While the Knights Templar and the Hashashin (Assassins) were real historical entities during the Crusades, their millennia-long shadow war over precursor technology is entirely fictional.
- Ideological Nuance: The antagonists aren't cartoonish villains; canonical Templars genuinely believe that absolute order prevents human suffering, creating a compelling philosophical gray area against the Assassins' doctrine of absolute freedom.
- Internal Conflict: The secret society frequently purges its own members if they deviate from core tenets or let personal greed—such as the Borgia family's corruption during the Italian Renaissance—eclipse the collective goal of global control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the secret society in Assassin's Creed?
The overarching objective is to establish global peace and order by eliminating free will, utilizing ancient Isu artifacts to control human thought and behavior.
Did the Order of the Ancients become the Templars?
Yes. The Order of the Ancients served as the ideological and organizational predecessor to the medieval Knights Templar, maintaining the same core philosophy across thousands of years.
Are the Assassins and Templars based on real groups?
Both factions take inspiration from real historical groups—the medieval Knights Templar and the Ismaili Assassins of Alamut—though their supernatural plotlines, precursor artifacts, and centuries-long survival are fictional.
How does Abstergo connect to the historical secret society?
Abstergo Industries is simply the modern-day front for the Templar Order, using technology and corporate influence to continue their quest for global dominance.
