The Assassins (Hashshashin)

The Assassins or the Hashshashin have aroused a lot of stories about them, and entered into legend. This clan was created at the end of XI century, founder was the famous Hasan-ben-Sabah from Horasana (Persia).

Having won the fortress Alamut in northern Persia, has argued that he is a incarnation of the last Imam, and collected a large number of supporters. "The old man on the mountain" was seized a large number of fortifications, both in Persia and in Syria, and his dominance quickly spread, thanks to so claimed the enemies of the Order - paid assassins who become fanatics with the help of Indian hemp or hashish (hence their name "The Assassins "), who had the task to kill all those who represented an obstacle to their goals of domination.

Initiation hierarchy closely subordinated to the Grand Master Sheikh or implied seven degrees, as in the classical Ismailism.

After Hasan's death, 1124th year, when he was ninety years, the Assassins might still grow. But in Syria, they clashed with the Knights Templar, who had many forts in the south hills Ansariex and led them fierce war bending they even pay tribute to them (one could think that the Knights Templar borrowed from the Assassins their esoteric doctrine).

The second part of the thirteenth century, the Assassins suffered the ultimate end, as in Syria and in Iran.