Hasan Sabbah: The Old Man of the Mountain I The Rise of Hashashins I History Documentary

Video Description

The Hashashins, also known as the Nizari Ismailis, were a secretive and powerful group that emerged in the late 11th century in Persia. Founded by Hasan Sabbah, they established their stronghold at the fortress of Alamut, hidden deep within the mountains. From this remote base, they built a disciplined community bound by loyalty, faith, and strict obedience. Unlike traditional armies, the Hashashins relied on strategy, intelligence, and psychological warfare rather than brute strength. Their actions were guided by religious conviction and political calculation, which made them both feared and respected across the medieval world. The Hashashins became famous for their method of targeted assassination precise, calculated, and symbolic acts against political or religious figures. Their agents operated silently, often disguising themselves and striking with daggers in public to send a clear message of power and defiance. They refused to flee or hide after carrying out their missions, believing their deaths served a greater purpose. These assassinations changed the course of politics in both the Islamic and Christian worlds, influencing rulers from the Middle East to Europe during the Crusades. Over time, their legend grew larger than reality. The term “assassin” itself comes from their name, reshaped by centuries of fear and fascination. The Mongol invasion in the 13th century destroyed their strongholds, including Alamut, but their influence survived in stories and myths. Today, the Hashashins are remembered as masters of strategy, secrecy, and psychological warfare a shadowy brotherhood that left a lasting mark on world history.