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 tapestry of revenge, betrayal, and murder—even including Yasuke's quest for enough XP to wield a gold-tier weapon.
Yes, Assassin's Creed is historical fiction. Its core concept involves uncovering historical gaps to craft a science fiction conspiracy tale about a secret society aiming for global domination using the mystical power of a pre-human civilization. While Ubisoft's open worlds are meticulously researched and grounded in history, they are not history lessons. The developers adapt and alter historical facts to serve the narrative.
The historical inaccuracies are numerous, but here are ten notable examples of Assassin's Creed rewriting the past:
The Assassins vs. Templars War
Let's address the elephant in the room: there's no historical evidence of a war between the Assassins and the Knights Templar. Their conflict is entirely fictional, partly inspired by 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, making only the first Assassin's Creed game somewhat chronologically accurate. Any suggestion of ideological opposition is unfounded.
The Borgias and their Superpowered Pope
Assassin's Creed II and Brotherhood feature 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 after his election as Pope Alexander VI. However, the Templars didn't exist in the late 1400s, negating the Borgia plot to acquire the Apple of Eden and control humanity. Ezio's brawl with Pope Alexander VI under the Vatican is thus entirely fictional.
Even beyond the Templars, Assassin's Creed's depiction of the Borgias is historically inconsistent. While their legacy is rife with sin, making them easily cast as villains, they weren't the mustache-twirling gangsters Ubisoft portrays. Cesare Borgia, Rodrigo's son, is depicted as an incestuous psychopath, despite a lack of historical evidence, relying instead on rumors. Depending on who you believe (like Machiavelli), 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 Creed's anti-authoritarian stance. His writings and actions suggest he didn't find the Borgias particularly reprehensible; he viewed Rodrigo as a successful con man, and even served as a diplomat in Cesare's court, considering him a model ruler.
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 alters his travels from Florence to Venice in 1481, placing him near Ezio, a significant departure from his real-life decade-long stay in Milan from 1482.
Beyond this, the game showcases many of da Vinci's designs, including a machine gun and a tank—not historically verified. The most fantastical element is the flying machine Ezio uses in Venice. While da Vinci studied flight, there's no evidence his designs ever took to the skies.
The Bloody Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, a non-violent protest, is drastically altered in Assassin's Creed III. Connor, the only protester in Native American attire, kills numerous British guards, turning a peaceful event into a violent clash. The game also attributes the protest's planning to Samuel Adams, a point of historical debate.
The Lone Mohawk
Connor's allegiance in Assassin's Creed III contradicts historical records. 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 historical figures like Louis Cook fought against the British, such instances were rare, making Connor's portrayal a significant departure from reality.
The Templar Revolution
Assassin's Creed Unity's depiction of the French Revolution is highly controversial, almost suggesting that the monarchy and aristocracy were victims of a conspiracy rather than the cause of the people's revolt. The game attributes the food crisis to a Templar scheme, ignoring the real causes of drought, floods, and poor harvests. The game focuses heavily on the Reign of Terror, overlooking the broader context and causes of the revolution.
The Controversial Killing of King Louis XVI
Assassin's Creed Unity portrays the vote on King Louis XVI's execution as a close call, influenced by a Templar conspirator. In reality, the vote was a decisive majority in favor of execution. The game downplays the King's actions that fueled public anger, such as his attempt to flee France.
Jack the Assassin
Assassin's Creed Syndicate's portrayal of Jack the Ripper is perhaps the most controversial. The game depicts him as a disillusioned Assassin who takes over the London Brotherhood, a significant departure from his historical identity as a brutal serial killer.
The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar
Assassin's Creed Origins significantly alters the assassination of Julius Caesar, portraying him as a proto-Templar. The game ignores many factual details and misrepresents Caesar's political reforms, which included land redistribution to the poor. The game frames his death as a victory, overlooking the ensuing civil war and the eventual rise of the Roman 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 works of historical fiction, not documentaries. What are your favorite examples of Assassin's Creed bending the truth?
