Assassin's Creed: Full Historical Timeline Revealed

Assassin’s Creed Shadows marks the latest installment in the iconic series, set during the feudal Japan of the Sengoku period in 1579. This setting places it at the midpoint of the Assassin’s Creed historical timeline, which doesn't follow a chronological order but rather jumps across different eras, from the ancient Peloponnesian War to the dawn of the First World War.

With 14 mainline games and counting, the Assassin’s Creed timeline has become increasingly intricate. IGN has meticulously analyzed every piece of lore to construct a comprehensive timeline that organizes the series' events in chronological order, providing clarity on the overarching narrative and how each game interconnects.

The Isu Era

75,000 BCE

To understand the Assassin’s Creed timeline, we must first delve into the lore of the Isu. In this ancient era, a highly advanced civilization known as the Isu ruled the Earth. They created humans as their servants, controlling them with powerful artifacts called the Apples of Eden. However, humans, led by Adam and Eve, rebelled against their Isu masters, sparking a revolutionary war. This conflict lasted a decade until a catastrophic solar flare wiped out the Isu, allowing humanity to rise and inherit the Earth.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War

Set during the Peloponnesian War, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey follows Kassandra, a mercenary who uncovers the Cult of Kosmos, a secretive group manipulating the war. Her journey reveals that her brother, Alexios, was kidnapped and transformed into a weapon by the Cult due to his Isu lineage from their grandfather, the legendary Spartan King Leonidas. Kassandra's mission to dismantle the Cult leads her to destroy an Isu device used to predict future outcomes, ending the conflict. She also reunites with her father, Pythagoras, who entrusts her with the Staff of Hermes, granting her immortality and the duty to guard Atlantis.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt

In the era of Cleopatra's rule, Assassin’s Creed Origins introduces Bayek, a peacekeeper whose son is killed during a kidnapping by the Order of the Ancients. This group, linked to the Cult of Kosmos, seeks to control Egypt through political manipulation and the power of the Apples of Eden. Bayek and his wife Aya form the Hidden Ones, a secret society dedicated to opposing the Order's global ambitions, marking the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

861 - Islamic Golden Age

Nearly a century later, Assassin’s Creed Mirage follows Basim, a street thief turned assassin, during the Islamic Golden Age. Trained at the Hidden Ones' stronghold in Alamut, Basim uncovers the Order of the Ancients' plot to access an Isu temple. Inside, he discovers his past life as Loki and vows to seek revenge on those who imprisoned him.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla follows Basim as he joins a Viking clan in England, led by Sigurd and his sibling Eivor. Their quest to establish a settlement leads them to confront the Order of the Ancients, led by King Alfred. Basim reveals Eivor and Sigurd as reincarnations of Isu gods Odin and Týr, seeking revenge for his past imprisonment. Eivor traps Basim in a simulated world, and after defeating King Alfred, returns to lead their settlement.

Assassin’s Creed

1191 - Third Crusade

During the Third Crusade, Assassin’s Creed introduces Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, tasked with stealing an Apple of Eden from the Templars, the evolved form of the Order of the Ancients. His mission uncovers a conspiracy and leads to the assassination of nine Templar leaders. Altaïr ultimately confronts his mentor, Al Mualim, who seeks to use the Apple for his own ends, leading Altaïr to take leadership of the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed 2

1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance

Assassin’s Creed 2 follows Ezio Auditore as he seeks vengeance against the Templars for his family's murder. His journey leads him to confront the Borgia family and uncover an Isu vault beneath the Vatican. Inside, he encounters Minerva, who warns of an impending apocalypse and the importance of Isu vaults in preventing it.

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance

In Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, Ezio continues his fight against the Borgia family, rebuilding the weakened Assassin Brotherhood. He reclaims the Apple of Eden and hides it in an Isu vault beneath the Roman Colosseum, securing it from the Templars.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations

1511 to 1512 - Ottoman Civil War

Assassin’s Creed Revelations sees Ezio travel to Masyaf to uncover secrets about the Isu. He discovers Altaïr's library, where he learns of the Grand Temple and its potential to save humanity from the apocalypse. Ezio leaves the Apple of Eden locked away as intended and retires, later succumbing to his injuries.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

1579 - Sengoku Period

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set during Japan's Sengoku period, where an African mercenary named Yasuke and a shinobi named Naoe navigate the political unification efforts of Oda Nobunaga. Their paths cross in the Iga province, leading to a shared pursuit of their goals.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag follows Edward Kenway during the Golden Age of Piracy. He becomes entangled in a Templar plot to control the Observatory, an Isu device capable of spying on anyone. Edward's quest leads him to confront the Sage, Bartholomew Roberts, and ultimately choose the safety of the world over personal gain.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue

1752 to 1776 - French and Indian War

Assassin’s Creed Rogue follows Shay Patrick Cormac, who leaves the Assassin Brotherhood after causing an earthquake in Lisbon. He joins the Templars and rises through their ranks, thwarting the Assassins' search for Isu temples. His actions influence the French Revolution, suggesting a Templar-led uprising in response to the American Revolution.

Assassin’s Creed 3

1754 to 1783 - American Revolution

Assassin’s Creed 3 follows Connor Kenway, who seeks revenge for the destruction of his Mohawk village. His journey leads him to confront the Templars during the American Revolution, ultimately killing his father, Haytham Kenway, and preventing the Templars from accessing the Isu Grand Temple.

Assassin’s Creed Liberation

1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana

Assassin’s Creed Liberation follows Aveline de Grandpré as she uncovers a Templar plot in Louisiana. Her quest leads her to confront her stepmother, the Company Man, and activate the Prophecy Disk, revealing the story of Eve's rebellion against the Isu.

Assassin’s Creed Unity

1789 to 1794 - French Revolution

Assassin’s Creed Unity follows Arno Dorian during the French Revolution. He seeks to avenge his adoptive father's murder, uncovering a Templar plot led by François-Thomas Germain. Arno's journey leads him to confront Germain, who is revealed as the current Sage, and ultimately seals his remains in the Paris Catacombs.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

1868 - Victorian England

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate follows the twin assassins Jacob and Evie Frye as they combat Templar control in Victorian London. Their quest to find the Shroud, an Isu device, leads them to confront Templar leader Crawford Starrick. After reclaiming the Shroud, they secure another victory for the Assassin Brotherhood.

Transition Period

1914 to 2012

The Assassin’s Creed series uses a modern-day framing story, with the Templars establishing Abstergo Industries in 1937 to control the world through capitalism. Abstergo develops the Animus, a virtual reality machine that allows users to explore ancestral memories, aiming to control the future through the past.

Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, and 3

2012

In 2012, Desmond Miles is abducted by Abstergo to locate Isu artifacts through his ancestors' memories. With help from an Assassin mole, Lucy Stillman, Desmond escapes and joins the Assassin Brotherhood. His journey through Ezio's memories reveals the impending apocalypse and leads him to the Grand Temple, where he sacrifices himself to prevent the disaster and unleash Juno.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

2013

In 2013, Abstergo continues its search for Isu technology using Desmond's DNA. The Noob, an Abstergo researcher, explores Edward Kenway's memories and uncovers a plot involving the modern-day Sage, John Standish, who attempts to use The Noob as a host for Juno.

Assassin’s Creed Unity

2014

In 2014, Abstergo releases Helix, allowing the public to experience genetic memories. An Assassin initiate relives Arno Dorian's life to locate the remains of Sage François-Thomas Germain, ensuring they remain out of Abstergo's reach.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

2015

In 2015, the initiate explores the memories of Jacob and Evie Frye to find the Shroud. Abstergo's plans to use the Shroud to create a living Isu are thwarted by the Assassins, who learn of Juno's manipulation of Abstergo employees.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

2017

In 2017, Layla Hassan, an Abstergo researcher, develops a new Animus and uses Bayek and Aya's DNA to explore the origins of the Hidden Ones. She is recruited by the Assassin Brotherhood, led by William Miles.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

2018

In 2018, Layla uses DNA from the Spear of Leonidas to explore Kassandra's memories and locate Atlantis. Kassandra reveals Layla's role in maintaining balance between the Assassins and Templars, gifting her the Staff of Hermes before passing away.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

2020

In 2020, Layla investigates magnetic field disturbances linked to Desmond's actions in 2012. She explores Eivor's memories, leading her to the Yggdrasil computer in Norway. Inside the simulation, she works to prevent future apocalypses, while Basim escapes and joins the Assassins, seeking Loki's children.