Assassin’s Creed Shadows may be the latest addition to the acclaimed series, yet its setting in feudal Japan positions it at the midpoint of the Assassin’s Creed timeline. This franchise doesn't follow a linear progression, instead it jumps across different historical periods, from the ancient Peloponnesian War to the dawn of World War I, enriching its narrative with diverse historical backdrops.
With 14 mainline games and counting, the chronology of the Assassin’s Creed universe grows increasingly intricate. To help fans navigate this complex narrative, IGN has meticulously analyzed every piece of lore to construct a comprehensive timeline. This timeline meticulously arranges all key events in the Assassin’s Creed universe in chronological order, providing clarity on the overarching story and how each game interconnects.
The Isu Era
75,000 BCE ------------------------Before diving into the timeline, let's explore some foundational lore. In the distant past, the earth was ruled by the Isu, a highly advanced civilization of god-like beings. They engineered humanity as their workforce, controlling them with powerful artifacts known as the Apples of Eden. However, humanity’s innate desire for freedom led to a rebellion sparked by Adam and Eve, who stole an Apple of Eden, igniting a revolutionary war against the Isu.
This conflict persisted for a decade until a catastrophic solar flare wiped out the Isu. Humanity, though decimated, survived to reclaim and rebuild the world.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War -------------------------------------------------------------Set amidst the Peloponnesian War, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey follows Kassandra, a mercenary who uncovers The Cult of Kosmos, a clandestine group manipulating the war from the shadows. Her journey reveals that her long-lost brother, Alexios, has been transformed into a powerful weapon by the Cult due to his descent from the legendary Spartan King Leonidas, an Isu descendant.
Kassandra’s quest to thwart the Cult’s domination over Greece leads her to an Isu device capable of predicting future events. She dismantles the Cult by eliminating its key members and destroying the device, ending the war. During her journey, Kassandra reunites with her father, Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who entrusts her with the Staff of Hermes, granting immortality, and tasks her with safeguarding Atlantis.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt ----------------------------------------------------------In the era of Cleopatra’s reign over Egypt, Bayek, a peacekeeper, becomes entangled with The Order of the Ancients, another secretive organization linked to the Cult of Kosmos. The Order kidnaps Bayek and his son, seeking to unlock an Isu vault. In a tragic turn of events, Bayek accidentally kills his son during their escape. Driven by grief and vengeance, Bayek and his wife Aya dismantle The Order, which manipulates Egyptian politics through its puppet Pharaoh, Ptolemy, and allies Cleopatra and Julius Caesar.
Discovering The Order's global ambitions to control politics and religion through the Apples of Eden, Bayek and Aya establish The Hidden Ones, a secret society of assassins and spies, to combat their oppression.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
861 - Islamic Golden Age ---------------------------------------------------A century later, The Hidden Ones have established strongholds worldwide, including Alamut in Iran. Basim, a street thief from Baghdad, joins the assassins and is tasked with investigating The Order’s activities. He discovers their plan to access an Isu temple beneath Alamut, which houses a prison containing Loki, an Isu revered as a god by the Norse. Basim learns he is a reincarnation of Loki and vows to avenge his past imprisonment.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
872 to 878 - Viking Invasion of England -------------------------------------------------------------------In the following years, Basim joins a Viking clan led by Sigurd and his sibling Eivor on their quest to establish a settlement in England. Their journey uncovers the oppressive rule of King Alfred, a member of The Order aiming to enforce a Christian regime.
After discovering an Isu artifact, Sigurd experiences visions that convince him of his divinity. Returning to Norway, Basim reveals that Eivor and Sigurd are reincarnations of Odin and Týr, respectively, and seeks revenge for his past imprisonment. Eivor survives Basim's attack and traps him in a simulated world created by an Isu computer. Traumatized, Sigurd relinquishes leadership to Eivor, who returns to England, defeats King Alfred at the Battle of Chippenham, and becomes a celebrated hero.
Assassin’s Creed
1191 - Third Crusade ---------------------------------------Over the next three centuries, The Hidden Ones evolve into the Assassin Brotherhood, facing a transformed adversary in The Knights Templar, who seek to establish a new world order. During the Third Crusade, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, an assassin, is tasked with stealing an Apple of Eden from the Templars. His mission, though successful, leads to the death of a fellow assassin, Kadar, prompting Altaïr to undertake a redemption quest by assassinating nine Templar leaders.
As Altaïr uncovers the Templars' plan to use the Apple of Eden, he learns of his mentor Al Mualim's betrayal, who seeks to use the artifact for his own ends. Altaïr confronts and kills Al Mualim, taking command of the Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed 2
1476 to 1499 - Italian Renaissance --------------------------------------------------------During the Italian Renaissance, Ezio Auditore da Firenze is drawn into the Assassin Brotherhood after his family is executed by the Templars. Using his father’s assassin tools and innovations from Leonardo da Vinci, Ezio battles the Templar-aligned Borgia family. He acquires an Apple of Eden, revealing an Isu vault beneath the Vatican, which the Templars, led by Pope Rodrigo Borgia, seek to control.
Ezio confronts Borgia, defeating him and accessing the vault where he encounters the Isu Minerva. She warns of an impending catastrophe in 2012 and hints at a network of Isu vaults that could avert this disaster.
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
1499 to 1507 - Italian Renaissance -----------------------------------------------------------------Despite defeating Borgia, Ezio’s decision to spare his life backfires when Borgia’s forces attack Ezio’s villa and steal the Apple of Eden. In response, Ezio revitalizes the weakened Assassin Brotherhood, becoming its leader and orchestrating the downfall of the Borgia regime in Rome. He secures the Apple, hiding it in an Isu vault beneath the Roman Colosseum.
Assassin’s Creed Revelations
1511 to 1512 - Ottoman Civil War ---------------------------------------------------------------In pursuit of further Isu knowledge, Ezio travels to Masyaf to explore Altaïr’s library. The Templars, seeking to unlock the library, have already secured several keys. Ezio aligns with the Ottoman Assassins to thwart the Byzantine Templars' efforts to restore their empire and reclaim the keys.
Inside the library, Ezio finds Altaïr’s remains and an Apple of Eden. A message from the Isu Jupiter reveals crucial data for humanity’s survival against an impending apocalypse, stored in the Grand Temple. Understanding this knowledge is not meant for him, Ezio leaves the Apple secured within the library and retires, succumbing to his injuries shortly thereafter.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
1579 - Sengoku Period -------------------------------------------------While details about Assassin’s Creed Shadows remain limited, we know it's set during Japan's Sengoku period. An African mercenary, alongside a Jesuit missionary, arrives in Japan and meets Oda Nobunaga, a lord unifying the warring clans. The mercenary, renamed Yasuke, serves Nobunaga and participates in the invasion of Iga province. Here, he encounters Naoe, daughter of a shinobi master, and despite their opposing sides, they unite for a common cause.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
1715 to 1722 - Golden Age of Piracy ---------------------------------------------------------------------During the Golden Age of Piracy, Edward Kenway becomes embroiled in a Templar plot to control The Observatory, an Isu device capable of spying on anyone. Only the Sage, a reincarnation of the Isu Aita, can unlock it. Edward allies with pirates to find the current Sage, Bartholomew Roberts, but their partnership sours when Roberts betrays Edward, locking him inside The Observatory.
Escaping, Edward tracks down Roberts, retrieves the stolen artifact, and assassinates Templar leader Laureano de Torres y Ayala. Deciding the world's safety outweighs his personal gain, Edward seals away the artifact and returns to England to live with his family.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue
1752 to 1776 - French and Indian War -------------------------------------------------------------Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin, is sent to retrieve an Isu artifact from a Lisbon temple. His actions trigger an earthquake that devastates the city, leading Shay to defect from the Brotherhood and steal their map of Isu temples. Rescued by the Templars, Shay rises through their ranks, hunting down Assassins and halting their pursuit of Isu technology. In the Arctic, he and Haytham Kenway confront Achilles, leaving him alive to prevent further temple disturbances.
In 1776, Shay proposes a French Revolution to counter the American uprising orchestrated by the Assassins.
Assassin’s Creed 3
1754 to 1783 - American Revolution -------------------------------------------------------The Templars target the Isu Grand Temple, with Haytham Kenway acquiring the key in London. Failing to unlock the temple in America, he starts a family with Kaniehti:io but abandons them. Years later, their son Ratonhnhaké:ton, now Connor Kenway, joins the Assassins to avenge his mother’s death and the destruction of his village.
Amidst the American Revolution, Connor eliminates Templars within the British forces and confronts Haytham. Their differing ideologies lead to Connor killing his father, securing the Grand Temple key, and thwarting the Templars' plans.
Assassin’s Creed Liberation
1765 to 1777 - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Parallel to Connor’s story, Aveline de Grandpré, an Assassin in New Orleans, uncovers a Templar scheme to control Louisiana. Her investigation leads to the ‘Company Man,’ who exploits slaves to access an Isu temple. Aveline gathers components of the ‘Prophecy Disk,’ an Isu device, and discovers her stepmother is the mastermind behind the plot. After killing her, Aveline activates the disk, learning about Eve’s leadership in the human rebellion against the Isu.
Assassin’s Creed Unity
1789 to 1794 - French Revolution ---------------------------------------------------------Orphaned Arno Dorian, raised by Templar Grand Master François de la Serre, is framed for de la Serre’s murder and joins the Assassins. Their investigation reveals a Templar schism led by François-Thomas Germain, who seeks to overthrow the French monarchy. Arno and his sister Élise pursue Germain, who tries to use a Sword of Eden against Arno, resulting in Élise’s death and Germain’s injury. Before dying, Germain reveals his status as the Sage. Arno secures Germain’s remains in the Paris Catacombs, keeping them from Templar hands.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
1868 - Victorian England -----------------------------------------------------In 1868, twin Assassins Jacob and Evie Frye arrive in London to find The Shroud, another Isu device. They discover the Templars’ control over the city through industry, politics, and crime. Jacob assassinates Templar leaders while Evie searches for The Shroud, which Templar leader Crawford Starrick steals from beneath Buckingham Palace. The twins kill Starrick, return The Shroud to its vault, and secure another victory for the Assassins.
Later, Jacob leads the London Assassins, and Evie tracks down and eliminates Jack the Ripper. They eventually settle in the countryside, raising Evie’s daughter, Lydia, as an Assassin. During World War I, Lydia investigates a Templar-run spy facility in London, killing the espionage network’s leader, the latest Sage.
Transition Period
1914 to 2012
While each Assassin’s Creed game is set in a historical period, the series' narrative is framed in the modern era. During this transition, the Templars establish Abstergo Industries in 1937 as a pharmaceutical company to further their global control through capitalism. In the late 1970s, Abstergo develops the Animus, a machine allowing users to explore ancestral memories, aiming to uncover Isu artifacts to shape the future.
Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, and 3
2012 -------------------------------------------------------------In 2012, Desmond Miles, a descendant of Altaïr, is abducted by Abstergo and forced to use the Animus. With help from Assassin mole Lucy Stillman, Desmond escapes and joins the Brotherhood. Exploring Ezio’s memories, Desmond learns of an impending apocalypse and the importance of Isu artifacts. He finds an Apple of Eden but is possessed by the Isu Juno, who forces him to kill Lucy. Despite falling into a coma, Desmond continues to explore Ezio’s memories, uncovering the Grand Temple's existence.
Awakening, Desmond and his team enter the Grand Temple, where he sacrifices himself to activate Isu technology, preventing the apocalypse but releasing Juno.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
2013 -------------------------------------Using Desmond's DNA, Abstergo explores Edward Kenway’s memories to locate The Observatory. An Abstergo researcher, “The Noob,” is manipulated by the Sage John Standish to hack Abstergo’s systems. Standish, intending to host Juno, is killed by security before his plan can succeed.
Assassin’s Creed Unity
2014 -----------------------------Abstergo releases “Helix,” allowing public access to genetic memories. An Assassin initiate, guided by Bishop, explores Arno Dorian’s life, learning that François-Thomas Germain’s remains are safely sealed in the Paris Catacombs.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
2015 ---------------------------------The initiate investigates The Shroud's location in London through Jacob and Evie Frye’s memories. Abstergo retrieves The Shroud, planning to create a living Isu, while Juno manipulates Abstergo employees to sabotage these efforts.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
2017 -------------------------------Layla Hassan, an Abstergo researcher, develops a new Animus that uses DNA samples to explore memories. In Egypt, she uses Bayek and Aya’s DNA to trace the origins of The Hidden Ones. William Miles recruits Layla into the Assassin Brotherhood.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
2018 -------------------------------Using DNA from the Spear of Leonidas, Layla relives Kassandra’s memories, discovering Atlantis. Kassandra, having guarded Atlantis with the Staff of Hermes, passes it to Layla, emphasizing the need for balance between Assassins and Templars. Kassandra dies after fulfilling her duty.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
2020 --------------------------------Observing Earth’s magnetic fluctuations, Layla explores Eivor’s memories, uncovering the Yggdrasil computer in Norway. Inside its simulation, she collaborates with Desmond's consciousness to prevent future apocalypses. Meanwhile, Basim escapes and joins the Assassins, using their Animus to search for Loki’s children.
