Assassin's Creed Initiates: Middle Ages
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 | 1 - China // 850 - GUNPOWDER
Gunpowder is thought to have been discovered by accident by Chinese alchemists around 850. However, this interpretation is contested. Some evidence suggests the black powder was discovered by the Arabs. In any case, the Chinese scientists were trying to invent an elixir that would render whoever took it immortal, but instead discovered the first explosive.
The Sung dynasty in China quickly understood the power of the explosive and used it for military purposes for protection against the Mongols in the early part of the tenth century. By 1304, the Arabs had developed the first gun, and by the fourteenth century, black powder in firearms was common in Europe, as evidenced by the presence of primitive gunpowder cannons on the battlefield becoming mandatory in the French and English military.
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 | 2 - Baghdad // Iraq // 901-02-18 - FORWARD THINKER
During the height of the Islamic Golden Age, Thabit ibn Qurra emerged as a leading visionary in the fields of mathematics, mechanical engineering, medicine, astrology, and astronomy. He was instrumental in ushering in many of the scientific reformations of that period; including the Ptolemaic system and the founding of statics.
Thabit also belonged to the Sabians of Harran, a sect of Hermeticists and celebrated a life of study and progression led by his beliefs. Although born in Harran, he moved to the intellectually thriving city of Baghdad, and occupied his years with teaching, study, and innovation until his death in 901AD.
Thabit's legacy did not end with his passing. His son, Sinan, became one of the most important physicians in Baghdad, who played a major role in the upkeep and development of the city's public hospitals during that era. His grandson, Ibrahim, went on to become a distinguished mathematician; studying the curves required to make sundials and advancing the theory of integration.
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 | 3 - Iceland // 970 - DARING VIKING EXPLORER
The Norse explorer Leif Ericson is recognized as the first European to reach the shores of North America, in what is today called Newfoundland but that the Norse knew as Vinland. It is not clear if he was part of the initial expedition to North America, but Ericson was certainly a member of the group that established a colony at L'Anse aux Meadows. According to Viking myths and sagas, Leif Ericson established a colony at Vinland. | |
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 | 4 - Leicester // England // 1161 - THE TEMPLAR TOMBOY
Maria Thorpe was born in England in 1161. Her parents forced her to wed Lord Peter Hallaton after her 18th birthday. After four years of marriage, she left her husband, obtained an annulment, and joined the Crusaders in the Holy Land.
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 | 5 - Hattin // Israel // 1187-07-04 - THE HORNS OF HATTIN
The Battle of Hattin, known as The Horns after the twin peaks of a nearby volcano, was a clash between the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, led by Guy De Lusignan, and that of the Saracen Army, under the leadership of Salah al-Din.
Marching to the relief of the Raynald's fortress of Tiberias, Guy made a critical error and attempted to force his way through Salah al-Din's army, abandoning his only source of fresh water. Unable to advance or retreat, and parched from thirst, the Crusaders were forced to camp in the middle of the baking plain, and awoke to find themselves ringed in fires set by the Saracens and under a constant stream of arrows. Every attempt to break out failed, and the Crusaders were driven up onto the Horns of Hattin and crushed by the forces of Salah al-Din.
The Saracens proceeded to retake all of the cities of the Crusader Kingdom, except Tyre and Antioch, and accept the surrender of Jerusalem. News of these disastrous defeats led to the Third Crusade, which began two years after this battle. | |
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