Ubisoft’s Animus has once again transported us through time, this time to Japan's Sengoku period in *Assassin's Creed: Shadows*. The game features historical figures from 1579, including Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Yasuke, the famed African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. As with previous entries, these figures are interwoven into a narrative blending fact and fiction, a tale of revenge, betrayal, and murder—even involving Yasuke's need to eliminate enemies for sufficient XP to wield a top-tier weapon.
Yes, *Assassin's Creed* is historical fiction. Its core concept involves uncovering historical gaps to weave a science fiction conspiracy about a secret society aiming for global domination using the powers of a pre-human civilization. While Ubisoft meticulously researches and creates historically-rooted open worlds, it's crucial to remember these aren't history lessons. The developers adapt numerous historical facts to serve the narrative.
While countless historical inaccuracies exist, here are ten notable examples of *Assassin's Creed* rewriting the past:
The Assassins vs. Templars War
No historical evidence supports a war between the Assassin Order and the Knights Templar. Their fictional conflict is partly inspired by conspiracy theories surrounding the Knights Templar. Both orders existed for roughly 200 years (Assassins founded 1090 AD, Templars 1118 AD), and both were disbanded by 1312. The idea of centuries-long conflict is entirely fabricated. Their only shared conflict was the Crusades, relevant only to the first *Assassin's Creed* game. Any interaction beyond that is purely speculative.
The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope
*Assassin's Creed II* and *Brotherhood* depict Ezio's conflict with the Borgia family, with Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia as the Templar Grand Master, becoming Pope Alexander VI. However, the Templars didn't exist in the late 1400s, negating the Borgia plot to obtain the Apple of Eden and control humanity. Ezio's confrontation with Pope Alexander VI is purely fictional.
Furthermore, the game's portrayal of the Borgias is historically mixed. While their legacy is undeniably scandalous, they weren't the villainous gangsters Ubisoft depicts. Cesare Borgia's portrayal as an incestuous psychopath lacks historical evidence, relying on rumors. Depending on perspectives, like Machiavelli's, he might not have been so bad.
Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias
In *Assassin's Creed II* and *Brotherhood*, Niccolò Machiavelli is Ezio's right-hand man, leading the Italian Assassin Bureau. However, Machiavelli's philosophies on strong authority clash with the Assassin's Creed. His actions and writings suggest he didn't find the Borgias particularly reprehensible, even serving as a diplomat in Cesare Borgia's court.
The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine
While Ubisoft's portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci is largely accurate, his movements in the game don't match his real-life travels. The game alters his location to coincide with Ezio's. More significantly, the game features da Vinci's designs for a machine gun, a tank, and a flying machine, which lack historical evidence despite his engineering genius.
The Bloody Boston Tea Party
The historical Boston Tea Party was a non-violent protest. *Assassin's Creed III* depicts it as a violent clash, with Connor killing British guards, significantly altering the event's peaceful nature. The game also attributes the protest's planning to Samuel Adams, a matter of historical debate.
The Lone Mohawk
Connor's allegiance to the Patriots in *Assassin's Creed III* contradicts the Mohawk's alliance with the British during the Revolutionary War. While such an alliance was unlikely, the character might be inspired by Louis Cook, a Mohawk who fought against the British.
The Templar Revolution
*Assassin's Creed Unity*'s depiction of the French Revolution is heavily skewed, suggesting the monarchy and aristocracy were victims of a Templar conspiracy, ignoring the underlying causes of the revolution. The game simplifies the complex historical events.
The Controversial Killing of King Louis XVI
*Assassin's Creed Unity* portrays the vote on King Louis XVI's execution as close, when it was a decisive majority. The game downplays the King's actions that fueled public anger and the complex reasons behind the revolution.
Jack the Assassin
*Assassin's Creed Syndicate* depicts Jack the Ripper as a rogue Assassin, a significant departure from the historical figure's identity as a brutal serial killer. The game uses the historical ambiguity surrounding Jack the Ripper to create its own narrative.
The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar
*Assassin's Creed Origins* alters the historical assassination of Julius Caesar, portraying him as a proto-Templar and ignoring his popular support among the Roman people and his land reforms. The game misrepresents the consequences of Caesar's assassination.
Answer See Results
The *Assassin's Creed* team strives for historical authenticity, but as shown, accuracy is often sacrificed for narrative purposes. This is acceptable, as the games are historical fiction, not documentaries. What are your favorite examples of *Assassin's Creed* bending historical truth?
