c.1090 ORDER OF ASSASSINS (HASHASHIN) – Order of Assassins, also known as “Hashashin” or “Assassins” was a military religious order founded by Hasan-i-Sabbah in Persia (Iran). Sabbah was the leader of the Nzari Ismailites, a Shia Islamic sect. In 1090, he decided to expand Nizari interests and oppose the Seljuk Turks – Sunni Muslims who had conquered Persia. Sabbah travelled to the ancient castle of Alamut, in the mountain kingdom of Daylam, a province of the Seljuq Empire. Once inside, he secretly converted prominent residents to his cause, and captured the fortress in a bloodless coup from within.
From Alamut, Sabbah sent missionaries into enemy territories to find further Shia Muslim converts. When the missionaries were unable to turn one muezzin, they killed him so he could not report his efforts. However, the vizier soon found out, and executed the missionaries’ leader. In response, Sabbah dispatched an assassin to murder the official using the Hashashin’s weapon of choice – the quiet and easily conceable dagger. He was the first of many prominent Seljuks, Persians, and later Crusaders, to be killed for opposing the order.
Assassination was employed as a political tool by the Hashashin throughtout their history. After the Mongols swept into Persia in 1228.
(The Crime Book DK)
1000s 12th century THE TIME MACHINE