Ubisoft has reignited the Animus, this time transporting players to Japan’s turbulent Sengoku Period. *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* immerses you in the year 1579, featuring historical icons such as Fujibayashi Nagato, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Yasuke—the legendary African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. As with every entry in the series, these figures are interwoven into a gripping narrative that blends documented history with richly imagined fiction, telling a tale of vengeance, betrayal, and political intrigue.
While *Assassin’s Creed* is undeniably rooted in historical settings, it’s important to remember that its core identity lies in historical fiction. The franchise thrives on exploring gaps in recorded history, crafting elaborate tales of secret societies, ancient conspiracies, and pre-human civilizations. Though Ubisoft's worlds are built with meticulous research and attention to detail, many events and character portrayals have been altered for dramatic effect. Here are ten of the most notable moments where *Assassin’s Creed* took creative liberties with history.
The Assassins vs Templars War
It’s one of the central themes of the series: the centuries-long conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. However, there is no historical evidence supporting any kind of ideological or physical war between these two groups. While the real-life Order of Assassins was founded in 1090 AD and the Knights Templar in 1118, both orders were disbanded by 1312. Though they coexisted during the Crusades, there is no record of them engaging in the kind of covert warfare depicted in the games.
The idea of an ongoing feud was largely inspired by modern conspiracy theories surrounding the Templars. Only the original *Assassin’s Creed* game takes place during a period when both factions might have realistically interacted. Even then, any notion of an organized, ideological battle remains firmly within the realm of fiction.
The Borgias and Their Superpowered Pope
In *Assassin’s Creed 2* and *Brotherhood*, the Borgia family plays a pivotal role as antagonists. Rodrigo Borgia is portrayed as the Grand Master of the Templars—a position he never held in reality. His election as Pope Alexander VI is framed as part of a larger scheme to seize control of humanity through the Apple of Eden, a plot device entirely invented for the game.
Additionally, while the Borgia name has long been associated with scandal and corruption, the portrayal of Cesare Borgia as a psychopathic, incestuous tyrant is exaggerated. Historical records paint him as a ruthless but effective leader—Machiavelli himself considered him a model ruler.
Machiavelli, Enemy of the Borgias
In *Assassin’s Creed 2* and *Brotherhood*, Niccolò Machiavelli is depicted as a key ally of Ezio Auditore, even leading the Italian Assassin Bureau. However, this portrayal contradicts his actual relationship with the Borgia family. Machiavelli admired Cesare Borgia’s leadership and served as a diplomat in his court, indicating he likely wouldn’t have aligned with the Assassins.
His political writings also suggest support for strong centralized authority, which contrasts sharply with the Assassins’ philosophy of freedom and resistance against oppression.
The Incredible Leonardo da Vinci and His Flying Machine
Leonardo da Vinci’s role in *Assassin’s Creed 2* and *Brotherhood* is one of the series' most beloved elements. His depiction as a charming, eccentric genius aligns well with historical accounts. However, the timeline of his travels doesn't match reality—Leonardo moved from Florence to Milan in 1482, not Venice in 1481 as shown in the game.
While the game features many of his designs—like the tank and machine gun—there’s no evidence these were ever constructed. The flying machine used by Ezio is based on da Vinci’s sketches, though none of his aerial inventions ever achieved flight in reality.
The Bloody Boston Tea Party
In real life, the Boston Tea Party was a peaceful protest in which colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped tea into Boston Harbor without violence or casualties. In *Assassin’s Creed 3*, however, Connor becomes the only protester wearing Native American garb and kills over a dozen British guards before completing the mission.
This dramatization transforms a non-violent act into a violent confrontation, adding action at the expense of historical accuracy. Additionally, the game attributes full planning responsibility to Samuel Adams, though historians debate the extent of his involvement.
The Lone Mohawk
Connor, the protagonist of *Assassin’s Creed 3*, is a Mohawk fighting alongside the American Patriots. Historically, the Mohawk people were allied with the British during the Revolutionary War, hoping for protection of their lands from colonial expansion.
While rare examples like Louis Cook exist—Mohawks who fought for the Continental Army—Connor’s alignment with the Patriots is historically improbable. It does, however, allow for a compelling "what if" narrative that fuels much of the game’s internal conflict.
The Templar Revolution
*Assassin’s Creed Unity* reimagines the French Revolution as a Templar-engineered crisis, suggesting famine and unrest were orchestrated rather than the result of natural disasters and poor harvests. This interpretation simplifies a complex historical event, reducing it to a conspiracy-driven narrative.
Furthermore, the game frames the Reign of Terror as the entirety of the revolution rather than just one phase, ignoring the broader socio-political factors that led to the collapse of the monarchy and the rise of Napoleon.
The Controversial Killing of King Louis XVI
*Assassin’s Creed Unity* portrays the execution of King Louis XVI as a close vote swayed by a single Templar conspirator. In reality, the decision was made by a decisive majority (394 to 321), not a narrow margin.
The game also downplays the widespread public anger toward the monarchy and glosses over Louis XVI’s attempt to flee France—an act that severely damaged his reputation and justified his eventual execution in the eyes of many citizens.
Jack the Assassin
In *Assassin’s Creed Syndicate*, Jack the Ripper is depicted as a rogue Assassin who seizes control of the London Brotherhood after becoming disillusioned with the Creed. Jacob Frye sends several initiates disguised as prostitutes to eliminate him, all of whom fail before Evie finally succeeds.
This version of events dramatically alters the known facts. Jack the Ripper was a serial killer whose identity and motives remain unknown. Portraying him as an Assassin gone rogue is a clear example of Ubisoft’s tendency to reinterpret history through its own fictional lens.
The Assassination of the Tyrant Julius Caesar
