The Hashashin were a sect of assassins in Persia and Syria from the 11th to 13th century. They were part of Shia Islam and founded by Hassan-i Sabbāh. Their base was Alamut castle, and they used covert tactics and knives for assassinations. The group declined due to internal disagreements and political alliances, and no longer exists today.
The Hashashin were a sect of assassins that operated from the late 11th century to the late 13th century AD in the region of Persia and Syria. The group was part of the Nizari Isma’ili branch of Shia Islam. Alternative spellings of the name are “Hashashiyyin” and “Hashshāshīn”. The group is also known as the Assassin Order, popularized in modern video games, including Assassin’s Creed.
Hassan-i Sabbāh (Farsi: حسن صباح), a Persian Nizari Isma’ili missionary, founded the Hashashin in the year 1090 CE. He was the first Grand Master of the order and many scholars credit him with developing the doctrine of the sect.
Hassan and his followers captured the castle of Alamut, located in the mountains of modern Iran, in AD 1090, where the Order maintained its headquarters for nearly two centuries. Along with Lambsar Castle, Alamut served as Hashashin’s base of operations in Persia and Syria.
Did you know that
In the West, Hassan i-Sabbāh is often known as the Old Man (or Elder) of the Mountain, possibly based on the Chronicle of William of Tire and/or references in Marco Polo’s travel records.
The Hashshāshīn Order in the Assassin’s Creed franchise is a fictionalized version of the Hashashin.
Most sources list Nizam al-Mulk as the first victim of the Hashashin. He was killed in AD 1092. An account of his death states that he was being carried in a litter when he was stabbed by Hashashin member Bu-Tahir impersonating a Sufi holy man.
The last known victim of the Assassin Order was Philip de Montfort, Lord of Tyre, who was killed in 1270 AD
What does Hashashin mean?
The killer is commonly thought to have its roots in the word hashāshīn (Arabic: حشاشين transliterated: ḥashāshīn), which means “users of hashish”. However, the etymology is unclear and the evolution of the word assassin may have been due to mispronunciations of several similar Arabic words.
Some sources indicate that the link between Hashashin and hashish (cannabis) is due to the Order using the drug to brainwash and/or control recruits. This story is based on Marco Polo’s account of young men who get drugged and wake up surrounded by women in a lush garden. However, many historians see the claim as nothing more than a myth, perhaps perpetuated by enemies of the Assassins who have tried to portray them as unsavory drug users.
Who killed the hashashin?
The group was widely known as a cult of assassins who killed political and religious enemies as well as financial rivals, often in broad daylight. Targets included Sunni Muslims, Christians and political figures. According to some sources, the Order also accepted assassination-for-hire contracts from individuals and organizations outside its own. There is also an unsubstantiated claim that Richard the Lionheart hired the assassin who killed Conrad of Montferrat in 1192 AD
What weapons did the Hashashin use?
When you think of a medieval assassin, you are likely to picture someone using knives, daggers, and perhaps poison. This popular view of ancient methods of assassination is based on the Hashashin. Most of Hashashin’s murders were done with a dagger or knife. Some accounts state that the blades were poisoned, but other sources dispute this claim.
In many cases, the Assassins used covert tactics, such as disguises, in their operations. Agents sometimes spent their time assimilating into a region, gaining political power and influence. The group has gained a vicious reputation through its brutal public killings, and some operatives have been able to achieve their goals through intimidation and threats.
Does hashashin still exist today?
The Hashashin was a notable and feared organization for two centuries, but it no longer exists. The group’s decline began in the early 13th century, possibly due to several factors, including internal disagreements about Islamic orthodoxy, political alliances with outsiders, and crusades.
In 1256 AD, the Mongol ruler Hulago captured the main Hashashin fortress of Alamut. The proof of him of the weakened state of the Hashashin that the assassins surrendered to the Mongol army without a fight. Historians believe the group’s library was destroyed when Alamut was taken.
In 1260 AD, the Order of Assassins sought an alliance with the Mamluk sultan Baibars to oppose the Mongol forces. Although Baibars initially seemed willing to help the Hashashin, he eventually came to see the group as a threat and captured his remaining Syrian castles in the early 1270s AD. There are no documented instances of official Hashashin activity after the 13th century; the Order of Assassins survives only in legends, myths and video games.
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