Assassins of Alamut

Alamut Valley was the home for the followers of a small Muslim sect which could create the word and the idea of "assassins" in the world, once ruled in parts of Iran for almost two centuries. The Assassins of Alamut got this title from the western world. In the east where they were originated, they bore the name of the religious ideology i.e Nizari Ismailis.

Who were the Ismailis?

Shia Islam believes after the prophet Muhammad, twelve holy people got the leading duty of the Muslims, politically and religiously. They were Twelve Imams or holy people. The sixth Imam named Sadegh. He had two sons, one of them named Mosa and the other named Ismail. So, the twelvers in Shiite Islam believed in Mosa as the next successor of Imam Jafar. Ismailis (Assassins) believed in Ismail as the next (and last) successor. From the other hand, they have the lable "The Seveners", as well.

The history says at the time there were 52 castles belonging to the Assassins in Persia which most of them were built in Alamut Valley since the first and the headquarters of the whole system of Alamut Assassins was in the valley next to the village of Gazorkhan.

at the photos you can see a village from the high standing view in alamut valley. — View from Alamut Castle to the valley.

How many castles remain?

Nowadays the ruins of only 4 castles of the Assassins remain in the valley. Visiting two of them is possible within one hour hike from where your car stops. They are Alamut Castle (Hasan-i-Sabah Castle) and Lambesar Castle. The other two require technical climbing and normally are not on the list of visit during day trips; Meymoon Dezh and Navizar Castle next to the village Garmaroud. On average, each castle hosted one thousand soldiers; all of them male and prepared for attack or defense at any time. The historians wrote that "killing" or "dying" was the same for the Assassins of Alamut, both as easy as possible.

you can see the valley of alamut with mountains and and villages. — The Valley of Alamut

Why they were called "Assassins"?

From the 11th century when the sect started, up to the 13th century; the maximum number of the whole army was approximately 50 thousand soldiers. At the time, the 50 thousand soldiers could not achieve much if they wanted to fight openly and directly. So, they chose the indirect fighting strategy as to terror or "assassinate" the key roles of the enemy. Apparently the leaders of Ismailis were good planners and they had long-term plots to assassinate the VIP`s of the enemies. They were sending their soldiers inside the army of enemy, some years ahead. In this case the missioner was already a trusted man for the enemy. Normally they served as a very close item to the army commanders of the opposition. The Assassins were smoking Hashish before the mission of the assassination. Here it comes the history of the change; Hashashin, then Hashishiyon and finally Assassins.

the valley has a lot of natural attractions like this view to the canyons next to the nice history. — Alamut Valley offers nature attractions next to the unique history!

Hidden Paradise of the Assassins!

Islam bans having sex out of marriage and drinking wine. Promising and preparing these two items was the biggest motivation possible for the soldiers. Seemingly the leader had prepared a "Hidden Paradise" for the Assassins of Alamut; where they could smoke hashish, drink wine and have sex for some days before their mission. Afterwards, they received the promise of "Eternal Heaven" ;according to the verses of the holy Quran in cases that they died when assassinating. The position of these hidden paradises could most probably be at the villages locating next to the castles.

you can see great canyons of alamut valley — Canyons of Alamut Valley

How the Assassins lost the power?

The Mongolians after conquering the main powers of Persia, reached the mountains of Alamut, to the strong fortresses. But it was not an easy capture. The soldiers who were not fighting money but for their ideology, could resist for long periods of siege. When visiting the castles, you can see many cisterns from which the water was prepared during long-term sieges. Alamut castle could resist for 3 month and finally they made an agreed-surrender to the Mongolians. But Lambesar castle started a three-years fight. The Mongolians ruined all of the castles completely so that not another power could rise up again from these strongholds. The Iranian government is having some archaeological studies, excavations and reconstructions with the castles.

the panorama view to the valley of alamut. — Alamut, once hosted many castles of the Assassins.

How can I get more information about the Assassins of Alamut?

There are many books about these Assassins, some of them sheer history, some fiction and some a combination of both. Here are some:

Alamut by Vladimir Bartol

The Valleys of the Assassins by Freya Stark

Samarkand by Amin Maloof

The last but not the list suggestion is not a book but a video. One episode from the tv series Marco Polo:

In the middle of the film "John Wick 3" they meet with an assassins group. Seemingly are the descendants of Assassins of Alamut.

Photos By:

Reto & Lea_Switzerland Stefan Kniehase_Germany Hosein Farhady

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