The Hashshashin: Difference between revisions

[[File:hashshashin_3243hashshashin 3243.jpg|frame|''Medieval depiction of the Hashshashin.'']]

'''The Hashshashin''' were an Islamic community in [[The Middle East]] around the time of [[The Crusades]], who both [[Trope Namer|named]] and [[Trope Codifier|codified]] the [[Professional Killer|Assassin]] archetype, though only few know to what extent their image has been [[Flanderized]] since then.

Originally an esoteric [[Islam|Islamic]]ic [[Cult]]--usually—usually classified as a radical offshoot of the Isma'ili sect of Shi'a Islam--foundedIslam—founded by Hassan-i Sabbah, it developed into a society of [[Trope Namer|assassins]] operating from the mountain fortress [[Supervillain Lair|Alamut]] and terrorizing the region's rulers with their attacks. Despite their fearsome reputation, the Hashshashin were said to be [[Would Not Shoot a Civilian|quite friendly towards common folk]], since their killings were actually carefully targeted and planned, rather than random acts of violence. Their name stems from their use of hashish -- allegedlyhashish—allegedly, the recruits were drugged, led to a [[Perfectly Cromulent Word|paradisiacal]] garden, [[Fan Service|full of lush greenery and beautiful women]], and then told that only the "Old Man of the Mountain" had the means to let them return, which resulted in [[Brainwashed and Crazy|their fanatical devotion]]. Their downfall came when [[Mugging the Monster|one of their strikes reached]] [[Always a Bigger Fish|the Mongols]], who razed Alamut during their conquest of Persia.

In fiction, [[The Knights Templar]] are often positioned as the [[Rival|Rivals]]s and [[Arch Nemesis]] of the Hashshashin (and the two are often found alongside each other in [[Conspiracy Kitchen Sink|Conspiracy Kitchen Sinks]]s); this can be quite frustrating to people who know the region's history, since Crusaders--thoughCrusaders—though not necessarily the Templars themselves--werethemselves—were often ''allies'', since they shared a common enemy (i.e. the Sunni Turkish and to a lesser extent Kurdish and Arab lords who ruled the region, including Zengi and [[Saladin]]). Compare [[Ninja|Ninjas]]s, the Far Eastern counterpart.

=== References to the Hashshashin in fiction: ===

* Mack Bolan, [[The Executioner]], fought a revitalized cult in ''Assassin's Code''. The Assassins in this one recruited various mercenaries including [[Ninja|Ninjas]]s, Thugee, and a rogue [[Mossad]] agent.