The Complete Assassin's Creed Timeline

Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest installment in this sprawling franchise, might seem chronologically out of place, nestled in feudal Japan amidst a timeline that leaps across centuries. The Assassin's Creed series famously doesn't follow a strict historical order; instead, it elegantly dances through pivotal moments in history, from the Peloponnesian War in Ancient Greece to the brink of World War I. With fourteen mainline games and counting, untangling this intricate web of events requires a dedicated effort. IGN has meticulously compiled the centuries-spanning saga, presenting a comprehensive, chronologically ordered timeline that clarifies the overarching narrative and interconnectivity of each game.

The Isu Era (75,000 BCE)

Before we delve into the historical adventures, a crucial piece of lore must be established. Eons ago, a technologically advanced civilization of god-like beings, known as the Isu, ruled the Earth. They created humanity to serve as their slaves, maintaining control through powerful artifacts called the Apples of Eden. However, humanity's inherent resistance to enslavement led Eve and Adam to steal an Apple, igniting a decade-long revolutionary war. This conflict was abruptly concluded by a devastating solar flare that wiped out the Isu, leaving humanity to inherit the Earth.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War)

Amidst the turmoil of the Peloponnesian War in Greece, Kassandra uncovers the Cult of Kosmos, a clandestine organization secretly manipulating the conflict. She discovers her long-lost brother, Alexios, a demigod-like weapon created by the Cult. Kassandra learns the Cult targeted Alexios due to his Isu lineage, tracing back to the legendary Spartan King Leonidas. Her mission to thwart the Cult's plan to dominate Greece involves confronting their use of an Isu device that predicts the future. She ultimately defeats the Cult, bringing an end to the war and reuniting with her father, Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who bestows upon her the Staff of Hermes, granting immortality and appointing her guardian of Atlantis.

Assassin’s Creed Origins (49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt)

During Cleopatra's reign, Bayek and his son are kidnapped by The Order of the Ancients, a shadowy organization collaborating with the Cult of Kosmos. The Order seeks Bayek's bloodline to unlock an Isu vault, but a tragic event leads Bayek to dedicate himself to revenge. He and his wife, Aya, dismantle The Order, revealing its global reach and ambition to control politics and religion through Isu artifacts. Their efforts lead to the creation of The Hidden Ones, a secret society operating across Egypt and Rome.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage (861 - Islamic Golden Age)

Centuries later, Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief from Baghdad, undergoes assassin training in Alamut, Iran. He investigates The Order of the Ancients' activities, uncovering their pursuit of an Isu temple beneath Alamut. Basim's journey reveals his connection to Loki, an Isu, and his quest for revenge against those who imprisoned him in a past life.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England)

Basim accompanies a Viking clan to England, continuing his pursuit of The Order of the Ancients. Eivor and Sigurd, the clan's leaders, navigate the complexities of establishing Ravensthorpe while confronting King Alfred's tyranny. Basim's revelation of Eivor and Sigurd's Isu lineage as reincarnations of Odin and Týr, and his subsequent confrontation, leads to Eivor's triumph over King Alfred and Basim's entrapment within a simulated world.

Assassin’s Creed (1191 - Third Crusade)

The Hidden Ones evolve into the Assassin Brotherhood, facing the Knights Templar, the transformed Order of the Ancients. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's mission to steal an Apple of Eden leads him to uncover Al Mualim's betrayal and his own master's ambition to control the world. Altaïr ultimately confronts and defeats Al Mualim, taking control of the Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed 2 (1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance)

Ezio Auditore da Firenze's quest for revenge against the Templars leads him to acquire an Apple of Eden, revealing a hidden Isu vault beneath the Vatican. His confrontation with Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Grand Master and Pope, results in Ezio's discovery of Minerva's prophecy of an impending apocalypse and the importance of a network of Isu vaults.

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance)

Ezio rebuilds the weakened Assassin Brotherhood, reclaiming the Apple of Eden and securing it within an Isu vault beneath the Colosseum.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations (1511 to 1512 - Ottoman Civil War)

Ezio's search for Isu knowledge leads him to Altaïr's library in Masyaf, where he discovers Altaïr's remains and a message from Jupiter revealing the location of the Grand Temple. Ezio secures the Apple of Eden within the library and retires, eventually passing away.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (1579 - Sengoku Period)

In 16th-century Japan, Yasuke, an African mercenary, allies with Oda Nobunaga, a powerful lord, and Naoe, the daughter of a shinobi master. Their shared goals unite them amidst the Sengoku period's conflicts.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag (1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy)

Edward Kenway becomes embroiled in a Templar conspiracy involving The Observatory, an Isu device. His quest to find Bartholomew Roberts, the Sage, and disrupt the Templars leads him to secure The Observatory and eliminate Laureano de Torres y Ayala.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue (1752 to 1776 - French and Indian War)

Shay Patrick Cormac's disillusionment with the Assassin Brotherhood leads him to join the Templars, pursuing his former master, Achilles, to the Arctic to prevent the Assassins from discovering more Isu temples. Shay's actions influence the French Revolution.

Assassin’s Creed 3 (1754 to 1783 - American Revolution)

Connor Kenway, Ratonhnhaké:ton, seeks revenge for his family's destruction, becoming an Assassin and fighting against the Templars during the American Revolution. His ultimate confrontation with his father, Haytham Kenway, concludes with Connor securing the key to the Grand Temple.

Assassin’s Creed Liberation (1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana)

Aveline de Grandpré confronts a Templar plot to control Louisiana, uncovering a larger conspiracy involving slaves and an Isu temple. She discovers her stepmother's involvement and activates a Prophecy Disk revealing Eve's story.

Assassin’s Creed Unity (1789 to 1794 - French Revolution)

Arno Dorian's quest for revenge and his involvement in the French Revolution lead him to confront François-Thomas Germain, a Templar extremist and the Sage, ultimately sealing Germain's remains in the Paris Catacombs.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (1868 - Victorian England)

Jacob and Evie Frye combat the Templars' control over Victorian London, racing to find The Shroud before the Templars and ultimately thwarting Crawford Starrick's plans. Evie's later actions lead to the assassination of Jack the Ripper, and Lydia's mission during World War I results in the death of the latest Isu Sage.

Transition Period (1914 to 2012)

The Templars establish Abstergo Industries, aiming to control the world through capitalism and the Animus, a virtual reality machine used to explore ancestral memories.

Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, and 3 (2012)

Desmond Miles, an Assassin descendant, uses the Animus to locate Isu artifacts, aided by Lucy Stillman. His journey culminates in his sacrifice at the Grand Temple to prevent the apocalypse, unleashing Juno.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag (2013)

Abstergo uses Desmond's DNA to explore Edward Kenway's memories, leading to the discovery of John Standish's identity as the Sage and his attempt to use The Noob as a host for Juno.

Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014)

An initiate, guided by Bishop, relives Arno Dorian's life to locate the remains of François-Thomas Germain.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)

The initiate explores Jacob and Evie Frye's memories to locate The Shroud, uncovering Abstergo's and Juno's plans.

Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)

Layla Hassan uses a new Animus to explore Bayek and Aya's memories, discovering the origins of The Hidden Ones and joining the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)

Layla explores Kassandra's memories, discovering Atlantis and receiving the Staff of Hermes.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020)

Layla explores Eivor's memories, discovering the Yggdrasil computer and working with Basim and The Reader to prevent future apocalypses.