Thomas Keightley's Secret Societies of the Middle Ages (1837) delves into the enigmatic world of clandestine groups that wielded power and influence in ways often hidden from the public eye. The first part of the book, The Assassins, stands out as a particularly intriguing exploration where the assassin’s pinnacle of success is not questioned. Understanding Thomas Keightley's forte lays in providing his readers the bare the history and myths surrounding this secretive sect that can be traced back in the history of Islam. Keightley paints a vivid picture of the Assassins, whose name has become synonymous with covert killings and political intrigue. But as the modern audience grapples with these historical narratives, the resurgence of the Assassin concept in popular culture, most notably in the video game series Assassin's Creed, offers a fascinating contrast to Keightley's meticulous historical account and the places where these historical characters had their lairs.

Keightley introduces the Assassins with a mix of historical rigor and narrative flair, beginning with their origins in the Nizari Ismaili sect during the 11th century (1837). He carefully traces the rise of the Assassins, a cohort of vassals under the leadership of the historical, wily character, Hasan-i Sabbah, illustrating how they wielded power not through sheer military might but through strategic assassinations, which instilled fear in the hearts of rulers across the medieval Islamic world. Keightley’s portrayal of the Assassins is not of a shorn head character with a dagger chasing their victim; his depiction of this secret society’s members both feared and revered highlights the duality of their legacy—one of terror and one of near-mythical prowess. This nuanced depiction serves as a counterpoint to the often-one-dimensional portrayal of the Assassins in modern media.

In the Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft, 2023) video game series, the Assassins are reimagined as heroic figures by the new forefathers of modern culture fighting against the Templars, their sworn enemies. While the game borrows heavily from the historical setting described by Keightley, it transforms the Assassins into protagonists of a grand narrative, endowed with a moral mission that contrasts starkly with the cold-blooded pragmatism that Keightley attributes to them. The game's emphasis on free will and resistance against oppression draws on the romanticized notion of the Assassins as freedom fighters, a significant departure from the more ambivalent depiction in Keightley’s work. As a shudder passes through a video gamer while the assassin is moving behind the brushwood, in his/her eyes this divergence illustrates for us how history can be reinterpreted to fit contemporary values and entertainment needs.

Though we are not having a glimpse of how the cradle of the assassins’ society come into being, Keightley’s work delves into the ritualistic and religious aspects of the Assassin sect, exploring the use of hashish and the role of mysticism in their operations. He provides detailed descriptions of the initiation rites, and the indoctrination methods used to create the fanatical loyalty that the Assassins were known for, especially in moments if the worst comes to the worst for these characters. In contrast, Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft, 2023) downplays these elements, instead opting to focus on the Assassins' skills and their philosophical battles with the Templars. The game sanitizes the darker aspects of the Assassins’ history, offering a more palatable version of these secretive killers for a modern audience, especially when we see the assassin’s eagle pouncing down upon an objective to be terminated.

Despite the game’s liberties where we see these characters rummaging wardrobes and caskets to find their booty, Assassin's Creed has undeniably brought the concept of the Assassin to a global audience, reviving interest in this mysterious sect and its very conceited members. Keightley’s historical account provides the necessary depth and context that the game glosses over, reminding readers that the Assassins were not merely shadowy heroes but complex figures operating in a turbulent era. The tension between historical accuracy and popular reinterpretation becomes apparent when Keightley’s work is read alongside the modern depictions, revealing how the Assassins have been transformed from feared sect to pop culture icons. No doubt that older generations craving for knowing more about these historical characters can get appalled by the inconsistencies between Keightley’s depiction of the assassins and how they are portraited in the video game.

In conclusion, Thomas Keightley’s The Assassins offers a rich, layered exploration of a secret society wanting to terminate political figures for many a dready month. The Assassins have fascinated and terrified in equal measure people in the past and nowadays. While Assassin's Creed has played a significant role in popularizing the concept of the Assassin, I should so like to see gamers and history readers learn through Keightley’s detailed historical narrative where we can fully appreciate the complexity of these figures. By contrasting Keightley’s account with the game’s portrayal, readers and gamers alike gain a deeper understanding of how history is often reshaped to fit contemporary narratives, leaving us to ponder the true nature of the Assassins—both as they were and as they have come to be remembered (Acuña, 2024).

References

Acuña, J. (2024, July 31). Ideas about the assassins in the Middle Ages. Literature Reflective Journaling. San José, Costa Rica.

Keightley, T. (1837). The Assassins. In T. Keightley, Secret Societies of the Middle Ages (pp. 13-168). London: Charles Knight & Co,.

Ubisoft. (2023, November 16). Assassin's Creed. Montreal: Ubisoft Montreal.

 

True/False Exercise

Test your comprehension of the text by deciding if these statements are true or false. The answers are provided at the end.

1.    True / False: The book Secret Societies of the Middle Ages by Thomas Keightley was published in 1837.

2.    True / False: The first part of the book, The Assassins, explores the history and myths surrounding a secretive sect within Islam.

3.    True / False: Keightley’s depiction of the Assassins suggests they primarily relied on sheer military force.

4.    True / False: Keightley focuses on the romanticized notion of the Assassins as freedom fighters.

5.    True / False: The Assassin's Creed video game series reimagines the Assassins as heroic figures.

6.    True / False: In the game, the Assassins are portrayed as fighting against the Templars, their sworn enemies.

7.    True / False: Keightley’s work delves into the ritualistic and religious aspects of the Assassin sect, including the use of hashish.

8.    True / False: The Assassin's Creed video game series emphasizes the darker aspects of the Assassins’ history.

9.    True / False: The game focuses on the Assassins' skills and philosophical battles with the Templars.

10.                    True / False: Keightley provides a sanitized version of the Assassins' history in his book.

11.                    True / False: Keightley’s historical account contrasts with the game’s portrayal, providing depth and context that the game glosses over.

12.                    True / False: The game has brought the concept of the Assassin to a global audience, sparking renewed interest in the sect.

13.                    True / False: Keightley suggests that the Assassins were merely shadowy heroes with little complexity.

14.                    True / False: The Assassins are portrayed as complex figures operating in a turbulent era in Keightley’s work.

15.                    True / False: The tension between historical accuracy and popular reinterpretation is evident when comparing Keightley’s work with the game.

16.                    True / False: The game downplays the Assassins' religious and mystical practices, unlike Keightley’s detailed descriptions.

17.                    True / False: Keightley’s portrayal of the Assassins includes their initiation rites and indoctrination methods.

18.                    True / False: The game emphasizes the Assassins' use of hashish as a key element in their operations.

19.                    True / False: Keightley’s account highlights the duality of the Assassins’ legacy—one of terror and one of near-mythical prowess.

20.                    True / False: The conclusion suggests that the Assassin's Creed series has popularized the Assassins, but Keightley’s work offers a more nuanced understanding.

 

Answers:

1.    True

2.    True

3.    False

4.    False

5.    True

6.    True

7.    True

8.    False

9.    True

10.          False

11.          True

12.          True

13.          False

14.          True

15.          True

16.          True

17.          True

18.          False

19.          True

20.          True