Marco Polo’s Intriguing Tale
In 1295, Marco Polo returned to Venice, recounting his travels in Asia in The Travels of Marco Polo. Among his stories was that of the Assassins, a Muslim sect led by an “old man of the mountain” who supposedly drugged young followers with hashish and promised them paradise for loyalty. European imagination ran wild with these accounts.
A Sect in Conflict
The Assassins were the Nizari Ismailis, a Shiite Muslim group active from the 11th to 13th centuries. Following a split within the Fatimid Caliphate, the Nizaris, led by Hasan Sabbah, seized Alamut Castle in Persia in 1090, establishing a network of mountain strongholds. They employed targeted assassinations against their Sunni enemies, creating fear and uncertainty.
Assassinations and Misconceptions
The Nizaris’ reputation grew due to their daring tactics, including the assassinations of political rivals like the vizier Nizam al-Mulk. Though they were skilled operatives, there is no evidence they used hashish or were motivated by material promises. European Crusaders and travelers spread exaggerated stories, cementing their mythical image in the West.
End and Legacy
The Mongol invasions led to the destruction of the Nizari strongholds by 1256. Despite their end, myths persisted, influencing modern portrayals such as the “Assassin’s Creed” video game series, which draws on both fact and fiction to depict the secretive and complex order of the Nizari Ismailis.
The Real Order of Assassins: A Hidden Network 🗡️
Marco Polo's Intriguing Tale
In 1295, Marco Polo returned to Venice, recounting his travels in Asia in The Travels of Marco Polo. Among his stories was that of the Assassins, a Muslim sect led by an "old man of the mountain" who… pic.twitter.com/6zqUJoPxnv— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TBBOB2) September 2, 2024