10 Times Assassin’s Creed Changed History

Assassin’s Creed, while drawing inspiration from historical events, often reimagines them to fit its narrative. These fictionalized portrayals, while entertaining, sometimes diverge significantly from documented facts.

The Assassins vs Templars War

The central conflict, pitting the Assassins against the Templars, lacks historical grounding. No verifiable evidence exists of a continuous centuries-long war between these groups. The game’s portrayal is a fictional construct, drawing upon existing conspiracy theories and medieval orders.

The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope

The Borgias, notorious Renaissance-era family, are depicted in Assassin’s Creed as masterminds of a Templar plot. Historically, their actions were morally reprehensible, but not linked to a fantastical quest to gain control via mythical artifacts. The game’s depiction of Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI and his supposed Templar ties are purely for narrative purposes.

Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias

Niccolò Machiavelli, a renowned political philosopher, is depicted as an Assassin ally against the Borgias. This portrayal clashes with historical records. Machiavelli’s political writings and dealings reveal a more complex relationship with the Borgias, one that doesn’t fit the game’s narrative of relentless opposition.

The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and his Flying Machine

Leonardo da Vinci’s character is portrayed accurately in terms of personality and talent. However, the game often alters his movements and inventions to better serve the plot. Da Vinci’s fictional activities and creations, including a flying machine featured in-game, are not based on factual evidence of his actual inventions and travels.

The Bloody Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party, a pivotal moment in American history, is dramatically reinterpreted in Assassin’s Creed 3. The game depicts the event as a violent confrontation, a stark contrast to the largely peaceful protest of dumping tea into Boston Harbor. The inclusion of Connor, a Mohawk, and the supposed orchestration by Samuel Adams are not supported by the actual historical record.

The Lone Mohawk

Connor’s portrayal as a Mohawk fighting alongside the American Patriots during the Revolutionary War is historically improbable. Mohawk tribes were often allied with the British, aiming to protect their lands. The game presents a fictionalized conflict that doesn’t reflect the complex alliances of that era.

The Templar Revolution

Assassin’s Creed Unity’s depiction of the French Revolution is arguably the most problematic. The game attributes the revolution to a Templar conspiracy involving a food crisis and Reign of Terror, rather than the complex and varied societal causes that fueled the revolution.

The Controversial Killing of King Louis 16

Unity depicts the vote on King Louis XVI’s execution as highly contested and decided by a single vote, a claim not supported by historical evidence. The actual result was a substantial majority in favor of execution, largely motivated by the king’s perceived betrayal and treason. The game downplays the complex political motivations of that time.

Jack the Assassin

The fictional portrayal of Jack the Ripper as a rogue Assassin is a significant departure from the historical figure. The game fabricates a story of Jack’s disillusionment with the Brotherhood, his violent takeover of the London underworld, and his ultimate defeat. This is a purely fictional narrative to fit the Assassin’s Creed universe.

The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar

Assassin’s Creed Origins’ depiction of Julius Caesar’s assassination misrepresents the historical figure and the context. It portrays Caesar as a proto-Templar, exaggerating the revolutionary implications of his assassination and overlooking the complexities of Roman politics. The game fabricates a motive and context different from the historical events.

Does historical accuracy in Assassin’s Creed matter?

The question of historical accuracy in Assassin’s Creed is a debate about the game’s intent. Whether the game’s artistic license, which emphasizes narrative over strict historical representation, significantly diminishes its value is subjective. The answer depends on the player’s motivations: are they seeking accurate history or an entertaining narrative?