Ubisoft has once again activated the Animus, this time transporting players to Japan's Sengoku Period with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The game introduces historical figures from 1579, including Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Yasuke, the African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. As with previous entries in the series, these characters are intricately woven into a narrative that blends historical fact with fiction, crafting a gripping tale of revenge, betrayal, and murder. While the story might humorously mention Yasuke needing to kill enemies for XP to use a gold-tier weapon, it's clear that Assassin’s Creed is firmly rooted in the realm of historical fiction. The series has always thrived on using historical gaps to weave a science fiction conspiracy tale about a secret society aiming to dominate the world using the mystical powers of a pre-human civilization. While Ubisoft's open-world settings are grounded in extensive historical research, it's crucial to remember that these games are not history lessons; they often alter historical facts to enhance the storytelling experience.
There are numerous instances where Assassin’s Creed deviates from historical accuracy, but here are ten notable examples where the series rewrites history in fascinating ways.
The Assassins vs Templars War
Let's start with a fundamental aspect of the series: the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. Historically, there is no evidence to support that the Order of Assassins and the Knights Templar were at war. The Assassins were established in 1090 AD, while the Templars emerged in 1118, both operating for roughly 200 years before their disbandment in 1312. The notion of these groups being in constant conflict throughout history is a fictional construct, loosely inspired by conspiracy theories surrounding the Knights Templar. Although they may have crossed paths during the Crusades, there is no indication of ideological opposition between them.
The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope
In Assassin’s Creed 2 and its sequel, Brotherhood, players follow Ezio’s battle against the Borgia family. The game depicts Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia as the Grand Master of the Templar Order, who ascends to the papacy as Pope Alexander VI. However, as the Templars did not exist in the late 1400s, the narrative around the Borgias seeking the magical Apple of Eden and a pope with god-like powers is entirely fictional. Moreover, the series' portrayal of the Borgias as Renaissance-era villains oversimplifies their historical complexity. Cesare Borgia, Rodrigo's son, is depicted as a psychopathic leader with incestuous tendencies, despite these claims being unsubstantiated rumors in reality. Machiavelli's account suggests Cesare might not have been as nefarious as the game portrays.
Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias
Assassin’s Creed 2 and Brotherhood cast Niccolò Machiavelli as Ezio’s ally and leader of the Italian Assassin’s Bureau. However, this portrayal conflicts with historical facts, as Machiavelli's political philosophy emphasized strong authority, which contradicts the Assassins' creed against authority. Additionally, Machiavelli's relationship with the Borgias was more nuanced; he acknowledged Rodrigo's deceit but respected Cesare as a model ruler, serving as a diplomat in his court. The game's depiction of Machiavelli's involvement with the Assassins and his stance against the Borgias does not align with historical evidence.
The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine
Assassin’s Creed 2 showcases a heartwarming friendship between Ezio and Leonardo da Vinci. Ubisoft accurately captures da Vinci's charisma and wit, but the game takes liberties with his timeline. In reality, da Vinci moved to Milan in 1482, not Venice in 1481 as the game suggests, to align his path with Ezio’s. While the game brings to life da Vinci’s visionary designs like a machine gun and a tank, there is no evidence these were ever built. The most fantastical element is Ezio’s use of a flying machine based on da Vinci’s sketches, which, despite being inspired by his work, never took flight in history.
The Bloody Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event in the American Revolution, was a non-violent protest where colonists, many disguised as Mohawks, dumped tea into Boston Harbor. Assassin’s Creed 3, however, transforms this event into a violent affair, with protagonist Connor, dressed as a Mohawk, killing numerous British guards during the protest. This portrayal significantly deviates from the historical record, where no lives were lost. The game also suggests Samuel Adams orchestrated the event, a claim that historians debate, illustrating Ubisoft’s use of historical ambiguity to craft its narrative.
The Lone Mohawk
Assassin’s Creed 3 features Connor, a Mohawk, fighting alongside the Patriots, which contradicts historical alliances. During the Revolutionary War, the Mohawk tribe was allied with the British, hoping to protect their lands from American expansion. Historians have questioned the plausibility of Connor’s actions, as he would have been considered a traitor by his people. While there were rare instances of Mohawks like Louis Cook fighting for the Patriots, Connor’s story represents a "what if" scenario, exploring the potential conflict and identity crisis within a Mohawk Patriot.
The Templar Revolution
Assassin’s Creed Unity’s portrayal of the French Revolution introduces a Templar conspiracy as the catalyst, framing the monarchy and aristocracy as victims. Historically, the revolution was sparked by years of food shortages due to natural disasters, not a Templar plot. The game also oversimplifies the Reign of Terror as the entirety of the revolution, rather than a phase within a broader movement driven by multiple socio-political issues. Suggesting that the Templars could orchestrate such a complex event stretches the bounds of credibility.
The Controversial Killing of King Louis 16
The execution of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution is a focal point in Assassin’s Creed Unity. The game suggests the vote for his execution was a close call, swayed by a Templar vote, implying controversy over his fate. In reality, the vote was decisively in favor of execution, with 394 to 321. Unity's portrayal softens the view of the French aristocracy and largely ignores Louis XVI's attempt to flee France, which exacerbated public anger and contributed to his conviction for treason.
Jack the Assassin
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate reimagines Jack the Ripper as a rogue Assassin attempting to seize control of the London Brotherhood. In the game, Jack, trained by Jacob Frye, becomes disillusioned and turns the organization into a criminal gang. The narrative culminates with Jacob's sister, Evie, thwarting Jack's reign of terror. This fictional twist leverages the mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper's true identity and motives, offering a unique take on a notorious historical figure.
The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar's assassination is one of history's most documented political murders. Assassin’s Creed Origins, however, reimagines Caesar as a proto-Templar whose death is necessary to thwart global tyranny. The game distorts historical facts, including the setting of the Roman Forum and the sequence of events leading to Caesar's Senate visit. Ironically, Origins portrays Caesar's opponents as fighting for the common people, whereas Caesar himself was known for redistributing land to the poor and retired soldiers. The game's depiction of his assassination as a victory against tyranny overlooks its historical consequence: the Liberators' Civil War, which led to the Roman Republic's collapse and the rise of the Roman Empire.
The Assassin’s Creed series meticulously crafts its worlds with authentic historical elements, but as these examples illustrate, historical accuracy is often sacrificed for storytelling. This is perfectly acceptable in the realm of historical fiction, where the narrative's entertainment value takes precedence over factual precision. What are your favorite instances of Assassin’s Creed bending history? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
