Hashashins: Origins of the Order of Assassins

Summary by Krater

This historical documentary explores the rise and fall of the Nizari Ismailis, a medieval Islamic sect famous for their fortress at Alamut and the tactical use of targeted assassination under the leadership of Hassan-i Sabbah.

From the video

Answers: How did the Nizari Ismailis become the most feared assassins and how did they meet their end?

• Nizari Ismailis
• Alamut fortress
• Hassan-i Sabbah
• Assassins order
• Seljuk Empire
• Fatimid Caliphate

What it concludes

• Internal division in Islam permanently split the faith into Sunni and Shia sects.
• The Fatimid Caliphate's decline and dynastic succession crisis in 1094 triggered the emergence of the Nizari Ismaili state.
• Hassan-i Sabbah established the Nizari Ismaili state by capturing the Alamut fortress and successfully resisting Seljuk attacks.
• The Nizari Ismailis increasingly utilized targeted political assassination as a central strategy of warfare against their more powerful enemies.
• The Mongol invasions under Hulagu Khan ultimately destroyed the Nizari Ismaili mountain fortresses and ended their statehood in 1256.
• Despite the destruction of their state, the Nizari Ismailis survived into the modern day, currently led by Aga Khan IV.