Thanks to modern popular movies and computer games many heard about a mysterious award of assasin. But very few people know the real history, traditions and outlook of these courageous and cruel soldiers.
History of creation of an award of assasin
There is a huge number of myths and conjectures about assasina. The main thing is not to confuse fictional heroes from books and computer games with real historical characters.
The history of emergence of an award of assasin begins from the date of the death of the legendary Islamic prophet Muhammad. This sad event was resulted by split on Sunnites and Shiites. As a result of fierce fight, Sunnites came to the power, and Shiites were outlawed and broke into a great number of religious sects. Hassan ibn Sabbakh known as "Aged Man of the Mountain" became the leader of one of Shiite sects. What is remarkable, he studied and communicated with such great people as Omar Khayyam and Nizam-al-Mulk earlier.
Hassan ibn Sabbakh chose fortress Alamouth as the place of the base. Interesting fact: fortress was occupied without fight. "The aged man of the mountain" came to the city under the guise of the teacher and gradually turned population bulk into the belief. As a result people followed for it, and the acting governors of fortress had to run, saving the life.
Hassan ibn Sabbakh created an award of assasin then still the set of fortresses was taken and the certain theocratic state is created.
Implicit obedience to the governor whom they practically idolized also a total ban on luxury was distinctive feature of the doctrine of assasin. Assasina showed contempt for death and were not afraid of it. Moreover, they could commit without hesitation suicide by order of "The aged man of the mountain".
Hassan ibn Sabbakh was an uncommon personality, had unique talent of the speaker, was very clever, cunning and excentric. For management of the people he often resorted to very original techniques of influence, arranged various mystifications and frightening representations.
History of assasin as murderers began with Nizama-al-Mulka. The former schoolmates in adulthood became irreconcilable political rivals. Therefore Hassan ibn Sabbakh decided to eliminate the enemy and organized on him attempt. The murderer who is changed clothes by the old man dervish got into the personal palace of Nizama-al-Mulka and killed him in the presence of a great number of witnesses.
Myths and the truth about a mysterious award of murderers
Concept that assasina were invincible "invisible murderers" quite misleading. According to modern realities they are rather suicide bombers. The majority of their actions were loud, bloody and political murders. Elimination of important influential people was public and had frightening character. In many cases of an assasina did not flee the crime scene and, having committed murder, cried out various appeals to the people.
Popular legend of assasina is that they actively accepted narcotic substances, in particular hashish. The award really carried the name "hashishina", but it was connected with a name of their leader, Hassan, or with their nickname — "travoyeda" or begging.
The myth that selection in an award of assasin was extremely careful and very rigid is actually very close to the historical truth. Persons interested to become assasina really were exposed to a set of various checks before entering an award and to begin trainings.
The whole world learned about an award of assasin thanks to the count Heinrich Shampansky. It was allowed in fortress Alamouth and devoted in history and some mysteries of an award.
Real historic fact – the dynasty of governors of assasin is not interrupted. The prince Karim Aga Khan of IV, the spiritual leader of Nizaris, the billionaire and the patron is a lineal descendant of the last "Aged man of the mountain" and formally it is considered the carrier of a title of the master of assasin.