The Shocking History of Assassins
If you've frequented the cinema lately, you've likely observed Hollywood's tendency to romanticize nearly every profession it depicts. Take archaeology, for instance; very few archaeologists have stumbled upon priceless treasures while raiding tombs. Finding a Harvard professor who globe-trots thwarting ancient secret societies via LinkedIn is highly improbable. Your average hacker is more inclined to be in their parents' basement searching for COD exploits than battling the FBI from a penthouse apartment. Another vocation often misrepresented is that of the assassin. These characters appear so frequently in TV, film, and games that one might assume assassination is a thriving industry and an excellent career choice. From Jason Bourne to Agent 47, from Deadpool to John Wick, the portrayal of assassins has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. Yet, a glance at job boards reveals a scarcity of assassination opportunities. Nonetheless, humanity remains captivated by the notion of a lethal assassin emerging from the shadows to eliminate unsuspecting targets with precision. Assassination, in various forms, has existed as long as humans have walked the earth. However, the modern archetype of the assassin—a skilled, stealthy killer eliminating influential figures for religious or political motives—can be traced back nearly a millennium to a group known as the Order of Assassins.