The Complete Assassin's Creed Timeline

Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest installment in this sprawling franchise, might seem out of chronological order. Set in feudal Japan, it occupies a middle point in the series' vast historical timeline. That's because the Assassin's Creed games don't follow a strict chronological path; instead, they leap through centuries, exploring pivotal moments from the Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece to the eve of World War I. With fourteen mainline games and counting, the timeline is complex. To unravel this centuries-long saga, we've meticulously pieced together the lore to present a chronological overview of the key events and how each game fits into the overarching narrative.

The Isu Era: 75,000 BCE

Before the historical narratives begin, we must delve into the foundational lore. Eons ago, a highly advanced civilization of god-like beings, the Isu, ruled Earth. They created humanity to serve as their slaves, maintaining control through powerful artifacts known as the Apples of Eden. However, humanity rebelled. Eve and Adam stole an Apple of Eden, sparking a decade-long war that ended abruptly with a devastating solar flare, wiping out the Isu and leaving humanity to inherit the Earth.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War

During the Peloponnesian War in Greece, mercenary Kassandra uncovers the Cult of Kosmos, a secret organization manipulating the conflict. Her quest to stop them reveals a connection to her brother, Alexios, a demigod-like weapon of the Cult, and their Isu lineage. Kassandra confronts the Cult, destroys their Isu device capable of predicting futures, and ultimately reunites with her father, Pythagoras, who bequeaths her the Staff of Hermes, granting immortality and appointing her guardian of Atlantis.

Assassin’s Creed Origins: 49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt

In Cleopatra's Egypt, Bayek and Aya confront the Order of the Ancients, another shadowy organization collaborating with the Cult of Kosmos. Their quest for revenge against those who kidnapped their son leads them to uncover the Order's global conspiracy to control politics and religion using Isu artifacts. Their fight establishes the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood.

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

Centuries later, in Baghdad, Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief, is trained as an assassin. His investigation into the Order of the Ancients' activities in Baghdad and Alamut leads him to discover a technologically advanced Isu prison containing Loki, an Isu figure now considered a god by the Norse. Basim learns of his own connection to Loki and his past.

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

Basim accompanies Vikings to England, where Eivor and Sigurd, reincarnations of Odin and Týr, confront the Order of the Ancients and King Alfred. Basim's actions reveal his connection to Eivor and Sigurd, leading to a conflict and Basim's imprisonment within a simulated world generated by the Yggdrasil Isu computer. Eivor ultimately defeats King Alfred and establishes Ravensthorpe.

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's quest to steal an Apple of Eden and assassinate Templar leaders reveals Al Mualim's betrayal, forcing Altaïr to confront his former mentor.

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

Ezio Auditore da Firenze's quest for revenge against the Templars leads him to acquire an Apple of Eden and uncover a hidden Isu vault beneath the Vatican. His confrontation with Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Grand Master and Pope, reveals a vision of Minerva and the impending doom of 2012.

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

Ezio rebuilds the weakened Assassin Brotherhood in Rome, reclaiming the Apple of Eden and hiding it in an Isu vault beneath the Colosseum.

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

Ezio travels to Masyaf, uncovering Altaïr's library and a message from Jupiter revealing the Grand Temple and crucial data for humanity's survival. Ezio's discoveries and eventual death set the stage for future conflicts.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: 1579 CE - Sengoku Period

In 16th-century Japan, Yasuke, an African mercenary, becomes a samurai, intertwining his destiny with Naoe, the daughter of a shinobi master, amidst the Sengoku period's conflicts.

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

Edward Kenway's involvement with the Templars and his pursuit of The Observatory, an Isu device, leads him to confront Bartholomew Roberts and the Templar conspiracy in the Caribbean.

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

Shay Patrick Cormac's betrayal of the Assassins and his alliance with the Templars lead him to hunt down his former brethren and prevent them from discovering more Isu temples.

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

Connor Kenway's quest for revenge against those who destroyed his home and killed his mother leads him to fight against the Templars during the American Revolution, ultimately confronting his father, Haytham Kenway.

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

Aveline de Grandpré's fight against the Templars in New Orleans uncovers a conspiracy involving slavery and an Isu device, the Prophecy Disk.

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

Arno Dorian's quest for revenge and his involvement in the French Revolution leads him to confront the extremist Templar François-Thomas Germain and the consequences of his actions.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 1868 CE - Victorian England

Jacob and Evie Frye's struggle against the Templars in Victorian London centers on the acquisition and protection of The Shroud, another Isu artifact.

Transition Period: 1914 to 2012

The Templars establish Abstergo Industries, using the Animus to explore the memories of their ancestors and control the future.

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

Desmond Miles's journey through the Animus, guided by the Assassins, leads him to prevent an impending apocalypse, culminating in his sacrifice to save humanity.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: 2013

Abstergo continues its search for Isu technology through Edward Kenway's memories, leading to the discovery of the modern-day Sage and Juno's manipulations.

Assassin’s Creed Unity: 2014

The Helix initiative allows players to relive Arno Dorian's life, contributing to the Assassin Brotherhood's efforts to track down Isu artifacts.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: 2015

The search for The Shroud continues, revealing Abstergo's plans and Juno's interference.

Assassin’s Creed Origins: 2017

Layla Hassan's exploration of Bayek and Aya's memories marks a shift in the narrative, leading to her involvement with the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 2018

Layla's journey continues with Kassandra, revealing Atlantis and a prophecy concerning Layla's role in bringing balance.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 2020

Layla's exploration of Eivor's memories leads her to the Yggdrasil computer and a confrontation with Basim and Desmond's consciousness.