Assassin's Creed: Full Timeline Revealed

Assassin's Creed Shadows might be the newest addition to the franchise, but its feudal Japan setting places it chronologically near the middle of the series' sprawling historical timeline. That's because the Assassin's Creed games don't follow a strict chronological order; this epic saga leaps across centuries, exploring pivotal moments from the Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece to the brink of World War I.

With 14 mainline games and counting, keeping track of this intricate timeline can be a challenge. IGN has meticulously researched every detail of the lore to present a clear, chronological overview of the series' centuries-spanning narrative and how each game fits into the larger story. This timeline covers all the key events in chronological order.

The Isu Era

75,000 BCE

Before we delve into the historical timeline, understanding the Isu is crucial. Eons ago, a technologically advanced civilization of god-like beings, known as the Isu, ruled the Earth. They created humanity to serve as their slaves, maintaining control through powerful artifacts called the Apples of Eden. However, humanity's inherent resistance to enslavement led Eve and Adam to steal an Apple of Eden, sparking a decade-long revolutionary war. This conflict ended abruptly with a devastating solar flare that wiped out the Isu, leaving humanity to inherit the Earth.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

431 to 422 BCE - Peloponnesian War

Amidst the turmoil of the Peloponnesian War, Kassandra, a mercenary, uncovers the Cult of Kosmos, a clandestine organization secretly manipulating the conflict. She discovers her long-lost brother, Alexios, a demigod-like weapon created by the Cult. Kassandra learns the Cult targeted Alexios due to his Isu lineage, inherited from their grandfather, the legendary Spartan King Leonidas. Her quest to thwart the Cult's plan to dominate Greece involves confronting their use of an Isu device that predicts the future. Kassandra eliminates key members of the Cult, destroys the device, and ultimately ends the war. During her journey, she reunites with her father, Pythagoras, another Isu descendant, who bestows upon her the Staff of Hermes, granting immortality and appointing her guardian of Atlantis.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

49 to 43 BCE - Ptolemaic Egypt

During Cleopatra's reign, Bayek, a Medjay, and his wife Aya confront The Order of the Ancients, another shadowy organization working with the Cult of Kosmos. The Order kidnaps Bayek and his son, seeking his Isu bloodline to access an Isu vault. Tragedy strikes, leading Bayek to dedicate his life to revenge. Bayek and Aya dismantle The Order, exposing their global conspiracy to control politics and religion through Isu artifacts. Their efforts lead to the creation of the Hidden Ones, a secret society of assassins operating across Egypt and Rome.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

861 CE - Islamic Golden Age

Centuries later, the Hidden Ones, now based in Alamut, Iran, train Basim Ibn Ishaq, a street thief from Baghdad. He investigates the Order of the Ancients in Baghdad, uncovering their pursuit of an Isu temple beneath Alamut. Basim helps defend Alamut and discovers a technologically advanced prison holding Loki, an Isu considered a god by the Norse. Basim learns of his own connection to Loki and vows revenge.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

872 to 878 CE - Viking Invasion of England

Basim accompanies Vikings to England, continuing his pursuit of the Order. Eivor and Sigurd, leaders of the Viking clan, establish Ravensthorpe while battling King Alfred, a Templar seeking to impose Christianity. Basim reveals Eivor and Sigurd's Isu reincarnation as Odin and Tyr, triggering a conflict. Eivor ultimately prevails, trapping Basim in a simulated reality, and assumes leadership of the clan.

Assassin’s Creed

1191 CE - Third Crusade

The Hidden Ones evolve into the Assassin Brotherhood, facing the Knights Templar, successors to the Order of the Ancients. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad steals an Apple of Eden, leading to his atonement through assassinations. He uncovers Al Mualim's betrayal and ultimately confronts and defeats his former mentor.

Assassin’s Creed 2

1476 to 1499 CE - Italian Renaissance

Ezio Auditore da Firenze joins the Assassin Brotherhood, seeking revenge against the Templars. He acquires an Apple of Eden, revealing an Isu vault beneath the Vatican. Ezio confronts Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Grand Master and Pope, ultimately securing the Apple and uncovering Minerva's prophecy of a future apocalypse.

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

1499 to 1507 CE - Italian Renaissance

Following the loss of the Apple of Eden, Ezio rebuilds the Assassin Brotherhood in Rome, reclaiming the Apple and securing it in an Isu vault.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations

1511 to 1512 CE - Ottoman Civil War

Ezio investigates Altaïr's library in Masyaf, uncovering the location of the Grand Temple and a message from Jupiter about the apocalypse.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

1579 CE - Sengoku Period

[Details about Assassin's Creed Shadows' storyline are currently limited.]

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

1715 to 1722 CE - Golden Age of Piracy

Edward Kenway becomes entangled in a Templar conspiracy involving The Observatory, an Isu device. He ultimately secures the device and eliminates a Templar leader.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue

1752 to 1776 CE - French and Indian War

Shay Patrick Cormac defects from the Assassin Brotherhood to the Templars, pursuing Isu artifacts and confronting his former mentors.

Assassin’s Creed 3

1754 to 1783 CE - American Revolution

Connor Kenway, son of Haytham Kenway, fights against the Templars during the American Revolution, ultimately confronting and killing his father.

Assassin’s Creed Liberation

1765 to 1777 CE - Spanish Occupation of Louisiana

Aveline de Grandpré confronts a Templar plot in Louisiana, uncovering a larger conspiracy and confronting her stepmother.

Assassin’s Creed Unity

1789 to 1794 CE - French Revolution

Arno Dorian seeks revenge and uncovers a Templar plot during the French Revolution, ultimately confronting and defeating François-Thomas Germain.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

1868 CE - Victorian England

Jacob and Evie Frye combat the Templars in Victorian London, securing The Shroud and eliminating Crawford Starrick.

Transition Period

1914 to 2012 CE

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

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

2012 CE

Desmond Miles uses the Animus to locate Isu artifacts, ultimately sacrificing himself to prevent the apocalypse.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

2013 CE

Abstergo continues its search for Isu technology through Edward Kenway's memories.

Assassin’s Creed Unity

2014 CE

An Abstergo initiate explores Arno Dorian's memories to locate the remains of François-Thomas Germain.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

2015 CE

The initiate searches for The Shroud through Jacob and Evie Frye's memories.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

2017 CE

Layla Hassan uses a new Animus to explore Bayek and Aya's memories and joins the Assassin Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

2018 CE

Layla explores Kassandra's memories, discovering Atlantis and receiving the Staff of Hermes.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

2020 CE

Layla explores Eivor's memories, discovering the Yggdrasil computer and working with Basim and Desmond's consciousness to prevent future apocalypses.