Where does assassin come from in Arabic? An In-Depth History of the Hashashin

As an assassination aficionado, few historic groups intrigue me more than the mysterious Nizari Ismaili order known as the Hashashin. Their unorthodox tactics and deadly skills made them legendary – and their distinctive Arabic name eventually became the modern English word "assassin".

But who were the Hashashin? How did their name evolve into a byword for stealthy killers in the West? As a fellow admirer of the cloak and dagger arts, allow me to be your personal guide to the engrossing history and etymology of the Hashashin assassins!

Origins of the Hashashin: Iran‘s "Order of Assassins"

Our tale begins in Persia during the 11th century AD. This was a tumultuous time, with rival Muslim caliphates jostling for power across the Middle East. The region was also threatened by encroaching Crusader armies from Europe.

It was in this chaotic climate that a radical Islamic sect known as the Nizari Ismailis emerged, led by Hassan-i Sabbah. He was a preacher and philosopher who had studied in Cairo before returning to Persia and converting a mountain fortress called Alamut into his secret base.

The Seizing of Alamut: Birth of the Hashashin Order

In 1090 AD, Hassan-i Sabbah ingeniously seized the mountain citadel of Alamut from the Seljuk Turkish rulers through subterfuge and tactical cunning. This audacious capture shocked the Seljuks and became the founding moment of the Nizari Ismaili order of assassins called the Hashashin.

Alamut, nestled high in the Elburz Mountains, made a perfect secret headquarters. Over the next decades, Hassan expanded his reach by seizing other mountain strongholds across Persia and Syria. He then used these fortresses to train devoted followers in the art of assassination.

Unorthodox Tactics and Training Techniques

The Hashashin recruited young men, indoctrinated them with Nizari Ismaili beliefs, and trained them in skills like disguise, knife fighting, poisons and covert infiltration. Their stealthy tactics and unwavering loyalty soon made them dreaded hired killers.

According to the possibly apocryphal legends told by chroniclers like Marco Polo, the Hashashin acolytes were first drugged with hashish and taken to a paradisical garden filled with gorgeous maidens. After awakening there, they were told that only total obedience could allow them to return to paradise.

While such stories are dubious, they reflect the extraordinary initiation rituals and psychological techniques used by the Hashashin to instill fanatical devotion in their followers. The order was structured hierarchically, with the grandmaster at Alamut at the top, followed by regional directors and propagandists across the network of fortresses.

The Spread of Hashashin Power and Influence

From their mountain strongholds, the Hashashin began a campaign of carefully targeted assassinations and terror attacks aimed at consolidating Nizari Ismaili power in Persia and Syria.

For nearly 150 years, the Hashashin successfully murdered prominent figures like Seljuk viziers,Fatimid caliphs, Abbasid caliphs, Crusader leaders, and other enemies of their sect across the Middle East. Their skills allowed them to evade capture and spread fear among rival groups.

Battles with Crusaders and Rival Sects

The Hashashin came into frequent conflict with the Crusaders, killing important Christian figures and even aiming for leaders like Richard the Lionheart. Their assassins operated from bases like Masyaf Castle in Syria under directors like Rashid ad-Din Sinan – terrifying nearby Crusaders with their deadly effectiveness.

In addition to battling invading Crusaders, the Hashashin were engaged in a bitter rivalry with the rival Mustali Ismaili branch, who eventually gave them the derogatory nickname "hashishiyya" meaning "hashish users". The Mustalis despised their murderous tactics.

Notable Hashashin Leaders

While Hassan-i Sabbah was the first grandmaster, other prominent hashashin leaders over the centuries included:

• Abu Tahir al-Sa‘igh: The Goldsmith, master of disguise who killed key enemies.

• Bahram al-Da‘i: The Missionary, who presided over Hashashin expansion into Syria.

• Rashid ad-Din Sinan: Old Man of the Mountain, operated from Masyaf Castle against Crusaders.

Through the skills of leaders like these, the Hashashin became the most feared assassin order in the medieval Middle East.

Maro Polo‘s Account of the "Old Man of the Mountain"

The Venetian traveler Marco Polo left one of the most detailed early accounts of the Hashashin in his 13th century book The Travels of Marco Polo. He described visiting Alamut and meeting the aged grandmaster known as the "Old Man of the Mountain", Rashid ad-Din Sinan.

Polo recorded fantastic tales of the Hashashin drugging young acolytes with hashish and convincing them they had visited paradise. Under this spell, the devotees obeyed even suicidal orders. While exaggerated, Polo‘s account spread the Hashashin legend across Europe.

"The Old Man kept at his court such boys of twelve years old as seemed to him destined to become courageous …when the Old Man wanted one of his Ashishin to send on any mission, he would cause that potion whereof I have already told you to be given to one of the youths in his palace. And on this his senses forsook him, and he slept for three days. Then the Old Man had him awakened and caused him to be led out to the garden full of all manner of things, whatever of earthly delight men know." – Marco Polo, on the Hashashin initiation rituals.

So while we must take Marco Polo‘s glimpses of the Hashashin with a grain of salt, they remain one of the most vivid early accounts that we have, offering intriguing clues to their methods for creating dedicated assassins.

Theories on the Origin of the Name "Hashashin"

But how exactly did this enigmatic order get the distinctive name "Hashashin"? As a etymology sleuth, I find the linguistic evolution quite fascinating!

There are several chief theories about the Arabic root of "Hashashin":

• Hashishiyyin – Means "hashish users/eaters" in Arabic. Points to questionable legends of Hashashin being drugged with hashish as part of their training.

• Hassassin – Derived from Arabic word meaning "adherents" or "faithful ones", referring to their fanatical obedience to Hassan-i Sabbah.

• Assassiyun – Some scholars believe it comes from Arabic word meaning "guardians" or "sentinels".

The most widely accepted is "hashishiyyin", owing to descriptions like Marco Polo‘s of them using hashish, though the truth is still debated. What does seem clear is that it was originally used negatively by rival sects to disparage the Nizari Ismailis.

From "Hashashin" to "Assassin" – The Evolution in Europe

So how did this Arabic term evolve into the modern English word "assassin"? Let‘s breakdown the linguistic transformations:

• Old French – 13th century forms like "asisin" and "asisisins" appear after Crusades.

• Italian – By 14th century referred to as "assissino" and "assassino", shedding the initial "h".

• English – "Assassin" emerges in the mid-16th century, derived through French and Italian accounts.

So as tales of the Hashashin spread back from the Middle East, the word gradually changed as it passed through European languages, eventually becoming "assassin" in English.

Interestingly, some etymologists believe "assassin" actually comes from medieval Latin "assassinus" meaning "murderer". So the precise origin continues to be debated. Ultimately, hashishin and assassin became fused – keeping the connotation of a hired killer.

The Decline of the Hashashin Order

After nearly 170 years of power, the fate of the enigmatic Hashashin turned when the Mongols arrived in the Middle East.

As Genghis Khan‘s army swept through Persia and Syria in the early 13th century, they systematically destroyed the Hashashin strongholds. Alamut, the long-time headquarters, surrendered in 1256 CE after a prolonged siege.

Rukn al-Din Khurshah, the last Hashashin grandmaster, was executed, effectively ending their reign of terror. The Syrian fortresses fell later, with remnants of the order fading into obscurity.

The Hashashin ultimately could not withstand the overwhelming force of the Mongol onslaught. Their assassination skills were no match for the sheer military power of Genghis Khan. But their lethal legend lived on to inspire future works of fiction.

The Legacy of the Hashashin Legend

While their order was demolished 700 years ago, the aura of mystery around the Hashashin assassins endures in popular culture and works of historical fiction:

• Assassin‘s Creed – Hashashin were inspiration for the brotherhood of assassins battling Templars.

• Marco Polo TV Series – Rashid ad-Din Sinan featured as key villain.

• Alamut – 1938 novel by Vladimir Bartol fictionalizing Hassan-i Sabbah‘s rise.

• The Destroyer Novel Series – Protagonist is the "Last of the Hashishin".

For me as a devoted assassination buff, the Hashashin will always represent the pinnacle of the cloak and dagger arts. Their stealth tactics and deadly skills continue to inspire assassins and thrill seekers today!

So next time you hear the word assassin, remember it traces back centuries to the mysterious "hashish eaters" of Persia and Syria! I hope you‘ve enjoyed this in-depth look at the legendary assassins. Let me know if you want to hear more of my musings on the ancient art of murder and mayhem!

Your friend in assassination lore,

Terry