Monstrous

Apocalypse Soon => Religions, Cults & Sects => Topic started by: leshy on January 20, 2009, 03:16:09 AM

Title: The Assassins
Post by: leshy on January 20, 2009, 03:16:09 AM
Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained  :: Secret Societies
THE ASSASSINS

Regarded as one of the most fearful of all secret societies, the Hashashin, the Assassins, seemed capable of penetrating any security, of striking down any victim regardless of the body of men who might guard him. They moved as if they were deadly shadows and struck with a fury that shattered the nerves and the resolve of their most stalwart foes. The very name of the secret society of killers has given the English language the words "assassin," one who kills for fanatical or monetary reasons; "assassinate," the act of killing suddenly and treacherously; and "assassination," the murder of a prominent person. The original appellation for the society, the Hashashin, is derived from the Arabic "hashish," a name for Indian hemp (cannabis sativa), and the accusation was made by European Crusaders and others that the Assassins made liberal use of the narcotic effects of hashish to achieve their fierce courage and to eliminate their fear of death.

Most of the early members of the secret society were followers of the Nizari branch of the Isma Iliyya sect of Shiite Muslims and were located primarily in Syria and Persia. In 1090, Hasan ibn Sabbah (1034-1124) seized the mountain citadel of Alamaut in northern Persia and made it his "Eagles' Nest," a center where he, as grand master, could live in relative safety and direct his forces throughout Asia. Hasan became known as the "old man of the mountains," and he set about creating a fanatical organization composed of devotees, known as fedayeen, who did whatever he commanded with blind obedience.

Hasan frequently bought boys from poverty-stricken parents and reared them in the camps where he had gathered young men to be trained as suicide commandos, leading them step by step to higher levels of combat proficiency. At the same time that he was shaping his men into fierce warriors, he also indoctrinated them spiritually, convincing them that as they advanced under his tutelage they would come closer to the sacred and ultimate mystery that only he could reveal. Hasan told them confidentially that the conventional teachings of Islam had misled them. Paradise could not be attained by following the preachings of Muhammad (c. 570–632), but only by complete obedience to Hasan Ibn Sabah, who was the true Incarnation of God on Earth.

Most sources citing the history of the Assassins state that in order to be certain that no doubts remained among the initiates that he was deity made flesh, Hasan supplied them with generous amounts of the drug hashish, then hypnotically guided them to the lavish gardens of heaven where they were allowed to witness the beauty of the afterlife. When the youths regained full consciousness, they were convinced that they had been allowed a glimpse of their future dwelling place in paradise. Although such stories have been widely circulated since the Crusades in the eleventh century, other sources have recently stated that such accusations of heavy drug use among the Assassins only reflected the fact that their contemporaries despised them as members of a minority and unfairly associated the sect with one of the more detestable vices of the time.

Whether or not Hasan ibn Sabbah's cruelty and ruthlessness has been exaggerated by time, one persistent illustration survives to depict the lengths to which he would go to gain dominance over his men. According to the account, on one occasion when Hasan sought to impress a group of young men to become his obedient fedayeen, he dug a hole in front of his throne deep enough to allow only a man's head to remain visible. Next, he commanded a fedayeen to lower himself into the hole and to place a tray with an opening in it around his neck. Once the hole was covered with a colorful rug and the loose dirt brushed aside, it appeared as though Hasan had decapitated a man and placed his head upon a tray. To make the illusion all the more convincing, he poured fresh blood around the supposed detached head of his assistant.

When an aide brought the potential recruits before his throne, Hasan informed them sternly that as God on Earth he had many fearful and wondrous powers. He would cause the decapitated head on the tray before them to speak to them of the glories in paradise that awaited those warriors who died in battle.

At this point, the loyal fedayeen with his head on the tray opened his eyes and testified to the marvels that his soul had witnessed in the hereafter. After the new men had been duly impressed and had sworn their allegiance to Hasan, they walked away speaking in hushed tones of the glory of serving God on Earth. And once the illusion had accomplished its desired end, Hasan had the fedayeen who had so ably assisted him decapitated and his head stuck on a pole so that all could see that he was truly quite dead.

Although the Hashashin came to be feared by Christian Crusaders, kings, princes, sheikhs, and sultans, their membership probably never numbered more than 2,000 fedayeen at any one time. Because Hasan had indoctrinated his warriors to the belief that death in the pursuit of orders guaranteed an immediate transference to paradise, they fought with a fury untouched by the normal fear of dying in combat. Masters of disguise and of many languages and dialects, the Assassins might one day appear as simple peasants working around a castle wall and the next emerge as highly capable warriors springing on their victims from the shadows. The Assassins inveigled themselves into the services of all the surrounding rulers, posing as loyal soldiers or servants, but always awaiting the bidding of their grand master to strike if ordered to do so. A powerful sultan who defied the orders of Hasan might suddenly find himself attacked by Assassins who for many years had been regarded as trusted servants but had only been hiding in his service until such time as the grand master ordered his assassination. As the power of Hasan's secret society became known throughout the East, a monarch never knew which of his seemingly faithful retinue was really an Assassin only awaiting orders to murder him.

Between 1090 and 1256, there were eight grand masters who ruled the society of Assassins. In 1256 and 1258, the Mongols virtually destroyed the sect in Iran and in Syria. Although the Assassins scattered throughout the East and into Europe, in 1272, the Mamluk Sultan Baybars brought about their downfall as an organized sect.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: ArroganceNLust on July 28, 2009, 10:30:45 AM
Intresting- But then you might want to look up America's Scilent Servise.
America at any given minute can destroy any place across the globe. We have more nucular power/ than we know what to do with. So we keep it hidden in the best of hidding places/// The Ocean and on Subs that are constantly moving.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Andrea Warfare on July 28, 2009, 11:40:30 PM
They sound like Ninjas
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: luminar on December 04, 2009, 02:48:14 PM
I know this is based on reality (The hashashin are real.) But I wonder wether or not their prominence in the video game assasins creed could have skewed the historical accuracy.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Dreamer on January 09, 2010, 02:03:19 AM
They sound like Ninjas

Arab warriors also and almost like Samurai's as well and not just Ninja.

With the exception of the honor concept, if a Samurai got caught they are willing to make
him write his well and use the short sword they carry around for that purpose only,
to kill them selfs by cutting their belly.

Assassin are similar to that of Ninja's stealth and infiltration.
I can say this post is accurate but not pinpointed precise.

Atleast we have something to brag about here, no?
Even though they have this dark side of things.

Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Redfan45x on April 08, 2011, 08:54:03 PM
They sound like Ninjas
the whole ninja myths are actually arab assassins, ninjas aren't that impressive dispite what your anime will try and brainwash you into thinking.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: ViciouslyMe on April 08, 2011, 09:17:45 PM
While ninjas may not be the same as depicted in many films and anime, in reality it is still quite deadly. But then, who can tell stories of a great ninja? If a great one is supposed to leave no witnesses. Its kind of like saying who the best theif is, considering the best theif has yetto be a suspect. Or for anyone to even realize they stole what they stole.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: ravinclaw on April 08, 2011, 10:05:12 PM
 Saying the ninja is myth is like standing in the road with your fingers in your ears trying to convince yourself the truck isnt going to hit you. Dont be disrespecting the oreintal race or any other.... er go ahead if you feal lucky;-) we dont put up with that s**t.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 09, 2011, 02:58:48 AM
Assassins have nothing to do with ninjas. And their biggest difference was that ninjas would do their assassinations in secret covering night, assassins would aproach their victim during the day, in the most crowdy area (in front of a temple p.e.) and slay their mark right in front of everyone. Also, ninjas didnt use hashish as a stimulant for their battles ;) Also, ninjas didnt work with the templars, which our arab druggies did more then once.
 And Redfan, sometimes is better not to write then to write crap u know nothing about either ninjas or assassins obviously.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: rave phillaphia on April 10, 2011, 07:12:18 PM
I would like just to say that half of this is true and the rest is based on the video game 'prince of persia'. Please, next time you post things look up more than what you find in the RPG and video game realm.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 11, 2011, 01:13:30 AM
whos post u referring to?
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: ravinclaw on April 11, 2011, 05:45:04 AM
I cant get over him saying ninjas are a myth. Have they been glorified by tv and movies? Sure, but what hasnt. They wer'nt just assassins either. They were pessants who were tired of being trampled by the emperor and decided to fight back. And they got really really good at it. They had to be to kill armored samari. A classic case of the underdog rising its weary head to bite the hand holding it down.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: rave phillaphia on April 11, 2011, 07:24:36 PM
The original post with leshy. They do originally come from Islam, but modern culture and video games has radically changed what they originally were.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: AWBrielle on April 13, 2011, 10:56:52 PM
^ which just goes to prove how ridiculously messed up the modern world can be: changing everything to appease boredom.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 14, 2011, 12:58:38 AM
Oh i think it goes way deeper than that... but im a tinfoil hatter, what do we know?  :roll:
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Countess on April 14, 2011, 05:31:55 PM
Leshy is confusing a number of diffrent things. The Assassins were originally a cult worshipping Kali. Over the centuries they evolved into an elite fighting force of mercenaries. Hashashins is believed to have been derived from their penchant for smoking hash as a method of communing with their gods. My advice to Leshy, should he/she come back would be, don't post entire entries from one single source as the "gospel" truth. This is a place of learning & more research is always a good idea. We don't take kindly to new comers acting superior.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: ViciouslyMe on April 14, 2011, 07:50:52 PM
Ah shenanigans, we tin foil hatters lead to new concepts and ideas.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 15, 2011, 02:10:54 AM
Leshy is confusing a number of diffrent things. The Assassins were originally a cult worshipping Kali. Over the centuries they evolved into an elite fighting force of mercenaries. Hashashins is believed to have been derived from their penchant for smoking hash as a method of communing with their gods. My advice to Leshy, should he/she come back would be, don't post entire entries from one single source as the "gospel" truth. This is a place of learning & more research is always a good idea. We don't take kindly to new comers acting superior.

My advice to you, since as I really did my research on the topic, would be to really read your stuff again, cause hashashins ARE assassins. They were mostly muslim, and have nothing to do with Kali. I dunno what movie you get ur info from, but its WRONG. Leshy isnt a new comer, she was here long before you came, and is gone so any attack on her behalf or anything you said in this, is WAY out of point ;)
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Countess on April 15, 2011, 06:44:27 PM
Nina, I didnt get the info from any movie. It came from a book on secret societies that I read many years ago. It was not meant as an "attack" on anyone. I do realize now that the last sentence comes off as uppity & b*tchy so I apologize for that.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 15, 2011, 07:09:28 PM
Do you remember the title of the book?
My point would be, Im currently reading one that claims queen of England is direct descendant of Jesus, so not all theoretical books are quite... well, believable ;)
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: AWBrielle on April 16, 2011, 11:11:04 PM
Countess, what's the name of the book? Most important thing is to remember that "not everything you read is true," so make sure you have other sources to back up that info :P
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: ravinclaw on April 18, 2011, 05:42:39 AM
I ran across some info once similar to what Countess was talking about regarding a Thuggee cult. I cant say whether or not its the same group leshy was talking about but they did exist.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 18, 2011, 08:01:21 AM
Leshy is considering returning to monstrous, so if all goes well, soon u will be able to ask her that yourself ;)
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: ravinclaw on April 18, 2011, 08:08:40 AM
Cool. Maybe I should actualy read the parts he wrote.lol. I started at the part about "ninjas are a myth" I had to say sumpin bout dat:-D
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 18, 2011, 08:11:29 AM
Leshy is a very pretty girl actually, and i dont think she wrote the ninja part ;)
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: AWBrielle on April 18, 2011, 12:45:26 PM
LOL, Ravin has an issue with discerning females from males xP
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 18, 2011, 01:40:02 PM
Hey, considering u, im gonna believe when i see some pics, cause Awbrielle could be a male name for as much as i know. Originates in jewish if im right ;)
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Countess on April 18, 2011, 08:15:33 PM
I ran across some info once similar to what Countess was talking about regarding a Thuggee cult. I cant say whether or not its the same group leshy was talking about but they did exist.

Ravin that is the group I meant, I got them confused. Thank you.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 19, 2011, 02:45:30 AM
aww my fun is spoiled now :P
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Raziel on April 20, 2011, 08:01:44 AM
*sigh*

Hashashin(Islam cult using hashish as a battle stimulant during the middle ages. Known to have members everywhere, Possibly used heavy psychological conditioning on recruits. )-Assassin-(mutation of the original word. Earliest known use. Macbeth by Shakespeare)

Ninja-(japanese, equivalent to a modern day covert agent. Duties include espionage and assasination. WERE NOT limited to pesants. Even  the samurai could be a ninja. Prominent example Hattori Hanzō. It was a job and a skill set. Usually learned hand to hand, hidden, and improvised weapon skills.)

The concept of "shadow warriors" is actually common in any country on the globe. China for one had a massive population of trained killers and espionage agents.

We can argue over what was what but we must all agree that historical records state that these roles were merely groups, or individuals who practiced the art of espionage, thievery, and silent killing.

Assassin's Creed is a fantastic series of games, historical accuracy aside, and does offer a rather interesting and realistic view on how such a society would have functioned..... Whether or not such a society existed in the form that it did, Plays second fiddle to the fact that assassination was(and still is) a rather popular way of dealing with "problems", and that many, many groups played(and still play) the game.

Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: AWBrielle on April 20, 2011, 10:38:19 AM
Hey, considering u, im gonna believe when i see some pics, cause Awbrielle could be a male name for as much as i know. Originates in jewish if im right ;)


I've seen pics of HER.... definitely female!  :-)


LOL, Ravin has an issue with discerning females from males xP


I better not comment on this one......  :-D

Thank you, my dear. :P

@Nina - teehee. We'll find someone else soon enough.


Assassin's Creed is a fantastic series of games, historical accuracy aside, and does offer a rather interesting and realistic view on how such a society would have functioned..... Whether or not such a society existed in the form that it did, Plays second fiddle to the fact that assassination was(and still is) a rather popular way of dealing with "problems", and that many, many groups played(and still play) the game.



All I know about Assassin's Creed is that apparently you're supposed to murder all of the Borgia family, which... well, no comment. I haven't played it before, so I can't give any opinions. As for the rest of your post - nice! Good way to clear it up.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 20, 2011, 03:56:48 PM
@AWBrielle: someone else what?  :?

@Raz: thank youuuu :) its so simple, and yet we all complicated it all like a Gordian knot, and voila, in comes Sponge Raz Bob and solves the issue like its nothing. Ninja style, of course.  :-D
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Raziel on April 21, 2011, 07:12:25 AM
@Nina: More like a janitor. :-D

@AWBrielle: Your bestfriend is a young Da Vinci, try out a flying machine of his, You get a mansion to fix up, and do work for the Medicis.
The architecture is gorgeous, the animation, stunning, the only limits to this game is your own audacity.

Pick it up and be awesome.

Oh and brother hood gives you a damned GUILD OF ASSASINS.

IN ROME.

Its soo shiney.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: AWBrielle on April 21, 2011, 09:24:21 AM
@Nina to question gender.... ah nevermind. Not funny anymore.

@Raziel for a second I thought you meant my best friend really is Da Vinci. That said - damn. I'll be playing that game, then.
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 21, 2011, 10:06:07 AM
@AWBrielle: yup, the joke is worn, we need another most certainly ;)

@Raz: hey, who said janitors cant have super ninja powers, huh?  :roll:

And yeah, Assassins creed is an awesome game, just a bit tricky when it comes to commands and all...
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Raziel on April 21, 2011, 04:09:16 PM
@AWBrielle: Yep. He basically plays the Bernard to your Zorro.

@Nina@: No Janitors can't have secret ninja powers. Else everyone would suspect them of stuff. :-) :wink:
Title: Re: The Assassins
Post by: Nina on April 21, 2011, 05:35:07 PM
Thats why they called SECRET ;)