Assassin's Creed: Full 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 Era. Long before recorded history, a highly advanced civilization known as the Isu ruled the Earth. These god-like beings created humanity to serve as their slaves, controlling them with powerful artifacts called the Apples of Eden. However, humans, led by Eve and Adam, rebelled after stealing an Apple, sparking a revolutionary war against the Isu. 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, kidnapped by the Cult as a child, has been transformed into a powerful weapon due to his lineage from the legendary Spartan King Leonidas, a direct descendant of the Isu. Kassandra's mission to dismantle the Cult leads her to destroy an Isu device used to predict future outcomes, ending the war. She also reunites with her father, Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who entrusts her with the Staff of Hermes, granting 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, a group allied with the Cult of Kosmos. Seeking vengeance, Bayek and his wife Aya uncover the Order's global conspiracy to control politics and religion using Isu artifacts. Their resistance leads to the formation of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood, dedicated to opposing the Order's tyranny.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

861 - Islamic Golden Age

Nearly a century later, Assassin’s Creed Mirage follows Basim, a street thief from Baghdad, who joins the Hidden Ones at their stronghold in Alamut, Iran. Tasked with investigating the Order of the Ancients, Basim discovers their plan to access an Isu temple beneath Alamut. Inside, he learns of his past life as Loki, an Isu, and vows to seek revenge on those who imprisoned him.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England

In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Basim accompanies a Viking clan to England, where they confront the Order of the Ancients, led by King Alfred. The clan's leader, Sigurd, and his sibling Eivor, discover their Isu reincarnations as Odin and Týr, respectively. Basim, seeking revenge as Loki, attacks them, but Eivor traps him in a simulated world. Eivor then defeats King Alfred and returns to their settlement as a hero.

Assassin’s Creed

1191 - Third Crusade

By the time of the Third Crusade, the Hidden Ones have evolved into the Assassin Brotherhood, facing off against the Knights Templar, successors to the Order of the Ancients. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, an Assassin, is tasked with retrieving an Apple of Eden and assassinating nine Templar leaders. His mission reveals a conspiracy involving the Apple, leading him to confront and kill his mentor, Al Mualim, who sought to use the artifact for his own ends.

Assassin’s Creed 2

1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance

Assassin’s Creed 2 follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who joins the Assassin Brotherhood to avenge his family's murder by the Templars. 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 in 2012 and reveals the existence of Isu vaults that could save humanity.

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance

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

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 inside the library as intended by Altaïr and retires, later succumbing to his injuries.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

1579 - Sengoku Period

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces Yasuke, an African mercenary, and Naoe, a shinobi, during Japan's Sengoku period. Yasuke, serving under Oda Nobunaga, and Naoe, from the Iga province, eventually unite despite their opposing sides, pursuing a common goal amidst the political unification of Japan.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy

During the Golden Age of Piracy, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag follows Edward Kenway, who infiltrates the Templar Order in search of the Observatory, an Isu device capable of spying on anyone. His quest leads him to ally with pirates and confront the Templar leader, ultimately choosing to protect 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. Rescued by the Templars, Shay 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

Set during the 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 his father, Haytham Kenway, a Templar, and ultimately bury the key to the Isu Grand Temple, thwarting the Templars' plans.

Assassin’s Creed Liberation

1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana

Assassin’s Creed Liberation follows Aveline de Grandpré, who uncovers a Templar plot in Louisiana. Her quest leads her to confront her stepmother, a Templar, and activate an Isu device that reveals the story of Eve's rebellion against the Isu.

Assassin’s Creed Unity

1789 to 1794 - French Revolution

In Assassin’s Creed Unity, Arno Dorian seeks justice for his adoptive father's murder during the French Revolution. His investigation leads him to confront the Templar leader, François-Thomas Germain, and ultimately seal his remains in the Paris Catacombs.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

1868 - Victorian England

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate follows the Frye twins, Jacob and Evie, as they combat Templar control in Victorian London. Their quest leads them to recover the Shroud, an Isu device, and thwart the Templars' plans to use it for their gain.

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 device that allows users to explore their ancestors' 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 the help of an Assassin mole, Lucy Stillman, Desmond escapes and joins the Assassin Brotherhood. His journey through his ancestors' memories reveals the impending apocalypse and leads him to sacrifice himself to prevent it, unleashing the Isu Juno.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

2013

In 2013, Abstergo continues its search for Isu technology using Desmond's DNA, focusing on Edward Kenway's memories. The researcher, known as "The Noob," uncovers a plot involving the modern-day Sage, John Standish, who attempts to keep Juno's existence secret but is killed by Abstergo security.

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 Frye twins' memories 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 it to explore Bayek and Aya's memories, uncovering the origins of the Hidden Ones. She is later recruited by the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

2018

In 2018, Layla uses DNA from the Spear of Leonidas to explore Kassandra's memories, discovering Atlantis and receiving the Staff of Hermes. Kassandra's final act is to pass on her duty to Layla, who is prophesied to bring balance between the Assassins and Templars.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

2020

In 2020, Layla investigates magnetic field disturbances linked to Desmond's actions in 2012. Her exploration of Eivor's memories leads her to the Yggdrasil computer in Norway, where she works to prevent future apocalypses. Meanwhile, Basim escapes the simulation and joins the Assassins, beginning his search for Loki's children.