10 Times Assassin's Creed Changed History

Ubisoft's Animus has once again whirred to life, transporting us to Japan's Sengoku period in Assassin's Creed: Shadows. The year is 1579, and we encounter historical figures like Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and the legendary Yasuke—the African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. As with previous entries, these figures are woven into a narrative blending fact and fiction, a thrilling tapestry of revenge, betrayal, and murder—including that time Yasuke had to slay everyone to earn enough XP for a gold-tier weapon.

Yes, Assassin's Creed is historical fiction. Its core premise hinges on uncovering historical gaps to weave a science fiction conspiracy tale about a secret society aiming for global domination using the mystical powers of a pre-human civilization. While Ubisoft meticulously researches and grounds its open worlds in history, it's crucial to remember these aren't history lessons. The developers adapt and alter historical facts to better serve their narrative.

The "historical inaccuracies" are numerous, but here are ten notable instances where Assassin's Creed dramatically rewrote the past.

The Assassins vs. Templars War

Let's address the elephant in the room: there's zero historical evidence of a war between the Assassins and Knights Templar. Their conflict is entirely fictional, partly inspired by (also fictional) conspiracy theories surrounding the Knights Templar. The Assassins emerged around 1090 AD, the Templars shortly after in 1118. Both orders existed for roughly 200 years before being disbanded by 1312. The centuries-long feud is pure fabrication. Their only shared conflict was the Crusades, relevant only to the first Assassin's Creed game. While potential interactions might have occurred, there's no evidence of ideological opposition.

The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope

Assassin's Creed II and Brotherhood center on Ezio's conflict with the Borgia family. Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia is revealed as the Grand Master of the Templar Order, posing a threat to the Assassins, especially since Rodrigo—both in-game and historically—becomes Pope Alexander VI. However, as established, the Templars weren't around in the late 1400s, negating the Borgia plot to acquire the magical Apple of Eden and install a mind-controlling pope. Ezio's Vatican brawl with Pope Alexander VI is purely fictional.

Even the general portrayal of the Borgias is historically mixed. While their legacy is undeniably scandalous, making them easy villains, they weren't the mustache-twirling gangsters Ubisoft depicts. Cesare Borgia, Rodrigo's son, is portrayed as an incestuous psychopath, despite lacking historical evidence beyond rumors. Depending on who you believe (Machiavelli, for instance), he might not have been so bad.

Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias

In Assassin's Creed II and Brotherhood, Niccolò Machiavelli serves as Ezio's right-hand man, even leading the Italian Assassin's Bureau against the Borgias. However, Machiavelli's philosophies on strong authority clash with the Assassin's anti-authoritarian creed. His actions and writings suggest he didn't find the Borgias particularly repulsive; he viewed Rodrigo as a successful con man, and even served as a diplomat in Cesare's court, considering him a capable ruler. His relationship with the Borgias in the game contradicts historical reality.

The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine

Assassin's Creed II features a strong portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci, accurately reflecting his wit and charisma. However, his movements in the game deviate from historical records. The game places him in Venice in 1481, while historical accounts place him in Milan for over a decade from 1482. This alteration, while seemingly minor, is significant given the game's usual accuracy in tracking historical figures. Furthermore, while da Vinci designed many advanced machines, the in-game machine gun, tank, and flying machine lack historical evidence. Although da Vinci explored human flight, there's no record of his machines ever achieving it.

The Bloody Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event in the American Revolution, was a largely non-violent protest. Assassin's Creed III, however, depicts a bloody affair with Connor killing numerous British guards. The game transforms peaceful protesters into an aggressive mob, significantly altering the historical event. The game also attributes the protest's orchestration to Samuel Adams, a claim debated by historians.

The Lone Mohawk

Connor's allegiance in Assassin's Creed III contradicts historical accounts. The Mohawk people were allied with the British, not the Patriots, during the Revolutionary War. Connor's actions would be considered treasonous within his own community. While individuals like Louis Cook fought against the British, it was highly unusual. Connor's portrayal exemplifies Assassin's Creed's "what if" approach to history.

The Templar Revolution

Assassin's Creed Unity's portrayal of the French Revolution is arguably the most inaccurate. By blaming the Templars, the game suggests the French monarchy and aristocracy were victims, rather than the cause of the people's revolt. The game's depiction of a Templar-engineered food crisis ignores the real causes: years of food shortages due to natural disasters. The game also overemphasizes the Reign of Terror, neglecting the broader context and causes of the revolution.

The Controversial Killing of King Louis XVI

Assassin's Creed Unity depicts the vote on King Louis XVI's execution as a close call, influenced by a Templar conspirator. Historically, the vote was a decisive 394 to 321 in favor of execution. The game minimizes the king's unpopularity and his attempt to flee France, crucial factors leading to his execution.

Jack the Assassin

Assassin's Creed Syndicate's depiction of Jack the Ripper as a rogue Assassin is wildly inaccurate. The real Jack the Ripper was a brutal serial killer. The game's portrayal, where he takes control of the London Brotherhood, is a significant departure from reality.

The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar

Assassin's Creed Origins' depiction of Julius Caesar's assassination ignores many well-documented facts. The game portrays Caesar as a proto-Templar, while historically, he was a popular leader who implemented reforms benefiting the poor. The game frames his death as a victory, while historically, it triggered a civil war that led to the collapse of the Republic and the rise of the Empire.

The Assassin's Creed teams strive for authenticity, but as shown, accuracy is often sacrificed for narrative. This is acceptable, as the games are historical fiction, not documentaries. What are your favorite examples of Assassin's Creed bending the truth?