Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood
By Steve Tibble
Yale University Press
ISBN: 978-0-300-28212-2
When it comes to the crusading era, few groups have been more mythologised than the Knights Templar and the Ismailis—often labelled the “Assassins.” This book takes a fresh look at both, showing not only how their histories have been shaped by legend, but also how—and why—they could resemble each other in surprising ways.
Excerpt:
This book looks at the history of the Assassins in Syria and the extraordinary relationship they had with the Templars. It seems strange to juxtapose these groups; but the relationship between the two is grounded in truth – and it is a stranger true story than many fictions. We will see how they both survived and inflated their own influence by creating corporate ‘brands’, at the heart of which were ‘the promise of death’.
The Assassins and the Templars have become two of the most legendary groups of modern times. Although both have accumulated a huge deadweight of mythology and absurd conspiracy theories along the way, the roots of their intertwined story contain, oddly enough, much that is true and similar. The tactics were different, but their foundations were the same. The promise of unstoppable death might be ‘in your face’ in the form of a Templar charge. Or it could be unstoppable death ‘in your back’ in the form of an Assassin’s dagger. But death was at the core.
Who is this book for?
Both the Assassins and the Templars are widely recognised by the public, with modern pop culture—most notably the Assassin’s Creed franchise—helping to keep their reputations alive. That familiarity should give this book a broad readership among those drawn to their exploits, while scholars of the crusades and, more broadly, religion in the medieval period will also find plenty here worth reading.
“Readers of a certain generation might entertain some skepticism, especially in light of Tibble’s colloquial (albeit steadfastly rigorous) approach to the subject. Tibble might nevertheless have been aware of some pop-culture competition for reader mind-space, for he has written a page-turner of a history.” ~ review by Peter Gordon in the Asian Review of Books.
The Author
Steve Tibble is a Research Associate at Royal Holloway College, University of London. He has penned several books on the crusades and also is columnist on Medievalists.net.
Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood
By Steve Tibble
Yale University Press
ISBN: 978-0-300-28212-2
When it comes to the crusading era, few groups have been more mythologised than the Knights Templar and the Ismailis—often labelled the “Assassins.” This book takes a fresh look at both, showing not only how their histories have been shaped by legend, but also how—and why—they could resemble each other in surprising ways.
Excerpt:
This book looks at the history of the Assassins in Syria and the extraordinary relationship they had with the Templars. It seems strange to juxtapose these groups; but the relationship between the two is grounded in truth – and it is a stranger true story than many fictions. We will see how they both survived and inflated their own influence by creating corporate ‘brands’, at the heart of which were ‘the promise of death’.
The Assassins and the Templars have become two of the most legendary groups of modern times. Although both have accumulated a huge deadweight of mythology and absurd conspiracy theories along the way, the roots of their intertwined story contain, oddly enough, much that is true and similar. The tactics were different, but their foundations were the same. The promise of unstoppable death might be ‘in your face’ in the form of a Templar charge. Or it could be unstoppable death ‘in your back’ in the form of an Assassin’s dagger. But death was at the core.
Who is this book for?
Both the Assassins and the Templars are widely recognised by the public, with modern pop culture—most notably the Assassin’s Creed franchise—helping to keep their reputations alive. That familiarity should give this book a broad readership among those drawn to their exploits, while scholars of the crusades and, more broadly, religion in the medieval period will also find plenty here worth reading.
“Readers of a certain generation might entertain some skepticism, especially in light of Tibble’s colloquial (albeit steadfastly rigorous) approach to the subject. Tibble might nevertheless have been aware of some pop-culture competition for reader mind-space, for he has written a page-turner of a history.” ~ review by Peter Gordon in the Asian Review of Books.
The Author
Steve Tibble is a Research Associate at Royal Holloway College, University of London. He has penned several books on the crusades and also is columnist on Medievalists.net.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
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