Unveiling Assassin's Creed Mirage: Unearth the Hidden Gems of Historical City Sites
Discover the hidden gems of historical Baghdad in Assassin's Creed Mirage Uncover the secrets of the Round City, from the postal system and poetry to the intriguing world of caliphs and their powers Explore the gardens, harem, and courtly life, while navigating the intricate education and judicial systems Immerse yourself in this captivating world of intrigue and culture
In the time of the Abbasid dynasty, the Round City stood as the vibrant core of Baghdad and the residence of various caliphs. While it forms just a portion of the expansive city in Assassin's Creed Mirage, the Round City holds great significance, being the very foundation upon which Baghdad was built when the Abbasid caliphs chose to establish a new capital on the banks of the Tigris.
Similar to other areas within Assassin's Creed Mirage, the Round City boasts numerous historical sites. Although none of these are found within the Palace of the Green Dome or its surroundings, a handful may prove challenging to access or locate by mere exploration. This comprehensive guide will provide precise directions to discover all 14 of these hidden gems.
The Round City Historical Site Map
Barid (Postal System)
The majority of the 14 Round City historical sites are concentrated in the western and southern parts of the district, while a few can be found towards the east and north of the palace. However, one drawback of the Assassin's Creed Mirage map is that collectibles do not appear when zoomed in to the maximum level. On the map above, players have the ability to view all 14 locations simultaneously.
Located at the front of the Postal Bureau, just by a desk, lies a remarkable historical site. It offers an intriguing glimpse into the world of barid, an intricate network of spies and messengers that the Islamic caliphs adopted and extended following their conquest of the Persian Sasanian Empire.
Singing and Poetry
Al-Jahiz
The palace wall stands adjacent to this site, which is conveniently located next to a stage and a hidden entrance. Singing and poetry played significant roles as forms of entertainment due to the high value placed on oral tradition in both Arabic and Persian history.
Located on the upper floor of Al-Jahiz's House, players can discover this site. To gain access, they should locate an oil jug on the nearby rooftop and utilize it to shatter the fragile ceiling. The site showcases Al-Jahiz, a remarkable Arabic author, often regarded as one of the greatest of all time and among the earliest professional writers in history.
Marriage and Divorce
Qiyan (Singing Girls)
In contrast to a performance stage, this particular site is designed specifically for hosting luxurious wedding parties. Although Islamic law permits the union of up to four wives, the expense associated with marriage restricted this practice to the privileged upper class of the Abbasid empire.
Players must search for this site within an apartment. In order to gain entry, they will need to skillfully hurl a knife through a window, shattering a barred shutter on the opposite wall. Qiyan held a unique position in Abbasid society as educated slave women who were greatly sought after by the elite for their intellect, charm, and entertainment skills.
Powers of a Caliph
Gardens and Power
From one of the rooftops that offers a view of the front entrance to the Palace of the Green Dome, you can appreciate the significance of this historical site. It is worth noting that a caliph, while he may have claimed to be the official successor of the Prophet Muhammad, held a status that was more rooted in secular matters rather than purely religious ones.
Situated on a crane positioned in the southwestern part, this site offers a breathtaking view of the palace gardens. Throughout history, gardens have served as esteemed symbols of prestige and authority in the Middle East, tracing their roots back to ancient Babylon. The influential Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad honored this rich tradition.
Harem
Eunuchs
Attached to the palace grounds on the south end, the Harem is surrounded by three historical sites. A climbing box west of the building houses the site for the Harem codex entry. Used by caliphs and other political elites, the Harem was a space where they kept their women and children. However, due to the high cost of fully isolating a family, women from the lower classes were able to mix with men in this area.
Explore the southern section of the harem to discover this intriguing historical site. Though often linked to the courts of the Abbasid era, eunuchs were also prevalent within neighboring empires such as Tang China and the Byzantines.
Caliph's Mother
The imperial harem, which used to be located in a walled garden on the eastern side of the building, was traditionally overseen by the mother of the current caliph. Despite her social status as a slave or concubine, this role granted her substantial political influence.
Animals at Court
Situated atop a lift to the east of the palace wall, there exists yet another site that offers a splendid view of the grand palace. Captivating their esteemed guests was of utmost importance to the caliphs, who found an effective strategy in showcasing their fondness for falcons. Amongst all the caliphs, the Abbasid rulers were particularly fixated on these majestic birds.
Shurta (Police)
Education System
This site is located at the western entrance of the Shurta Headquarters building. Originally serving as night watchmen during the Abbasid era, the term "shurta" has evolved to become the contemporary Arabic word for "police."
This site can be located on a rooftop situated east of the Mazalim Courts. Within the Abbasid Empire, individuals from all social classes had the opportunity to receive a fundamental education at their nearby mosque. Furthermore, for those who possessed the means, advanced education was also accessible.
Judges and Judicial System
The final historical site of Round City is located on the ground level of the Mazalim Courts. During the Abbasid era, judges would uphold the Quran as the primary source of law, occasionally overturning caliphal laws that were in opposition to its teachings.
Assassin's Creed Mirage is currently accessible on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.
