The Complete Assassin's Creed Timeline

Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest installment in this sprawling franchise, might seem chronologically out of place. Set in feudal Japan, it occupies a middle point in the series' complex historical timeline. Unlike a typical historical narrative, Assassin's Creed doesn't follow a strict chronological order. Instead, it leaps across centuries, exploring pivotal events 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 history requires a dedicated effort. IGN has meticulously pieced together the centuries-spanning saga, revealing the overarching narrative and the interconnectedness of each game. This timeline presents the key events in chronological order.

The Isu Era: 75,000 BCE

Before we delve into the historical timeline, understanding the Isu is crucial. This highly advanced, god-like civilization ruled Earth, creating humanity to serve as their slaves. The Isu maintained control through powerful artifacts known as the Apples of Eden. However, humanity's inherent resistance to enslavement led Eve and Adam to steal an Apple of Eden, sparking a decade-long revolutionary war. This conflict was abruptly ended 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, mercenary Kassandra uncovers the Cult of Kosmos, a clandestine organization 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 quest to thwart the Cult's plans involves confronting their use of an Isu device capable of predicting futures. Kassandra eliminates key Cult members, destroys the device, and ultimately brings an end to the Greek conflict. She is reunited with her father, Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who bestows upon her the Staff of Hermes, granting her 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, another shadowy organization collaborating with the Cult of Kosmos. The Order seeks Bayek's bloodline to access an Isu vault. Tragically, Bayek accidentally kills his son during his escape. Driven by revenge, he and his wife Aya dismantle the Order, exposing their puppet Pharaoh Ptolemy and their influence over Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Their efforts lead to the creation of the Hidden Ones, a secret collective operating across Egypt and Rome, laying the foundation for future generations of Assassins.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 861 CE - Islamic Golden Age

Centuries later, Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief from Baghdad, is trained as an assassin in Alamut. He investigates the Order of the Ancients' activities in Baghdad, uncovering their pursuit of an Isu temple beneath Alamut. Basim helps defend Alamut and discovers a technologically advanced prison holding Loki, an Isu now considered a god by the Norse. He learns of his own connection to Loki and vows revenge.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 872 to 878 CE - Viking Invasion of England

Basim accompanies a Viking clan to England, continuing his pursuit of the Order of the Ancients. Sigurd and Eivor, the clan's leaders, establish Ravensthorpe while confronting the tyranny of King Alfred, a Templar leader. Basim reveals Eivor and Sigurd's Isu reincarnation as Odin and Týr, respectively, and his quest for revenge. Eivor ultimately prevails, trapping Basim in a simulated world, and assumes leadership of the clan.

Assassin’s Creed: 1191 CE - Third Crusade

The Hidden Ones evolve into the Assassin Brotherhood, facing the Knights Templar, the evolved Order of the Ancients. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad steals an Apple of Eden, leading to a mission to assassinate nine Templar leaders. He uncovers Al Mualim's betrayal and ultimately confronts his former master.

Assassin’s Creed 2: 1476 to 1499 CE - Italian Renaissance

Ezio Auditore da Firenze joins the Assassin Brotherhood, seeking revenge against the Templars. He acquires an Apple of Eden, revealing an Isu vault beneath the Vatican. His conflict with Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Grand Master and Pope, culminates in a victory and the discovery of a message from Minerva about an impending apocalypse.

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: 1499 to 1507 CE - Italian Renaissance

Following the loss of the Apple of Eden, Ezio rebuilds the Assassin Brotherhood, confronts the Borgia family, and reclaims the Apple, ultimately securing it in an Isu vault.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations: 1511 to 1512 CE - Ottoman Civil War

Ezio investigates Altaïr's library in Masyaf, thwarting Templar efforts to unlock it. He discovers Altaïr's remains and a message from Jupiter revealing the Grand Temple. Ezio's journey concludes with his death after decades of service.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: 1579 CE - Sengoku Period

In 16th-century Japan, an African mercenary, Yasuke, joins Oda Nobunaga's forces and meets Naoe, the daughter of a shinobi master. Their paths intertwine amidst the Sengoku period's conflicts.

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

Edward Kenway becomes embroiled in a Templar conspiracy involving The Observatory, an Isu device. He seeks the Sage, Bartholomew Roberts, to disrupt the Templars' plans, ultimately securing The Observatory and eliminating Laureano de Torres y Ayala.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue: 1752 to 1776 CE - French and Indian War

Shay Patrick Cormac, after causing an earthquake in Lisbon, defects to the Templars, hunting Assassins and thwarting their search for Isu temples. He works alongside Haytham Kenway, injuring Achilles but preventing further discovery of Isu temples.

Assassin’s Creed 3: 1754 to 1783 CE - American Revolution

Haytham Kenway seeks the Grand Temple, fathering Connor Kenway with Kaniehti:io. Connor, seeking revenge, becomes an Assassin, confronting the Templars during the American Revolution and ultimately killing his father.

Assassin’s Creed Liberation: 1765 to 1777 CE - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana

Aveline de Grandpré confronts a Templar plot in Louisiana, uncovering a larger conspiracy involving slaves and an Isu temple. She confronts her stepmother, the Company Man, and activates the Prophecy Disk.

Assassin’s Creed Unity: 1789 to 1794 CE - French Revolution

Arno Dorian seeks revenge for his father's murder, uncovering a Templar plot during the French Revolution. He works with Élise to confront François-Thomas Germain, a Sage, ultimately sealing his remains in the Paris Catacombs.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 1868 CE - Victorian England

Jacob and Evie Frye confront the Templars' control over Victorian London, seeking The Shroud. Their efforts culminate in the assassination of Crawford Starrick and the securing of The Shroud.

Transition Period: 1914 to 2012 CE

The Templars establish Abstergo Industries, using the Animus to explore the memories of ancestors.

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

Desmond Miles, under Abstergo's control, escapes with the help of Lucy Stillman and explores the memories of Altaïr and Ezio, ultimately sacrificing himself to prevent the apocalypse.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: 2013 CE

Abstergo uses Desmond's DNA to explore Edward Kenway's memories, leading to the discovery of the modern-day Sage, John Standish.

Assassin’s Creed Unity: 2014 CE

An initiate relives Arno Dorian's memories to locate the remains of François-Thomas Germain.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 2015 CE

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 CE

Layla Hassan explores Bayek and Aya's memories, leading to her recruitment by the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 2018 CE

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

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 2020 CE

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