Unveiling the Mysterious Setting of Assassin's Creed Mirage

Assassin's Creed Mirage takes players on a journey to intriguing historical periods and real-world locations. While the previous installments, Origins and Odyssey, delved into ancient Roman times and the Peloponnesian Wars respectively, Mirage takes a leap forward to the ninth century, immersing players in the early years of the Abbasid Caliphate.

While history enthusiasts will immediately recognize the significance of locations like Baghdad and Alamut Castle, not every gamer is well-versed in world history or familiar with Paradox map games. To assist those players, this guide will provide insights into the where and when of Assassin's Creed Mirage.

Alamut Castle

After joining the Hidden Ones, the protagonist Basim is whisked away to the remote castle of Alamut, nestled deep within a snowy mountain range. This castle holds significant importance as it serves as the starting point for the first Assassin's Creed game, having been the primary stronghold of the historical Order of Assassins.

Presently, Alamut refers to a small region situated in northwest Iran. It is located within the mountain ranges south of the Caspian Sea, with its challenging terrain having witnessed the construction of numerous castles and fortresses throughout human history. The region derives its name from Alamut Castle, translated to "Eagle's Nest" in Persian.

Baghdad

Alamut Castle indeed existed in the ninth century before it became the capital of the Assassin leader Hassan-i Sabbah. However, it was not the Hidden Ones who constructed it, but rather Wahsudan ibn Marzuban, an independent ruler whose dynasty controlled the Alamut region at that time. The dynasty retained control until 1090 when Hassan and the Assassins assumed power.

Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, is a well-known city to many. However, it's important to note that Baghdad has served as a capital in the past, specifically during the time of the Abbasid Caliphate. While the ancient city of Damascus (now the capital of Syria) was the capital of the previous Umayyad Caliphate, the Abbasids decided to establish a new capital on the left bank of the Tigris River. Interestingly, the name "Baghdad" predates the Abbasid capital and may have origins in some of the oldest written languages in history.

Assassin's Creed Mirage subtly references The Epic of Gilgamesh throughout the game. Basim's initial companion draws comparisons between Basim and the legendary hero, while Basim's eagle companion is aptly named Enkidu, who happens to be Gilgamesh's loyal friend in the ancient tale. The reason for these nods is that Baghdad, where the game is set, lies within the region known as Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia is the birthplace of the first ever written language and is renowned for being the land where Gilgamesh, the oldest written story ever discovered by historians, originated.

It is worth noting that Gilgamesh himself likely governed the city of Uruk, which is located far southeast of Baghdad. Moreover, it is believed that the Epic of Gilgamesh was written well over 2000 years prior to the events depicted in Mirage. However, there exists a possibility that fragments or variations of the story persisted among the inhabitants of Mesopotamia even after the rise of the Caliphate era.

Part of the story also unfolds in Anbar, a town that serves as the winter palace for the Abbasids during the game's timeframe. Anbar holds historical significance as it was once the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate prior to the construction of Baghdad by Caliph al-Mansur in 762. In Mirage, Anbar is situated in close proximity to Baghdad and similarly in reality. The remnants of Anbar can be found approximately three miles away from the modern city of Fallujah, with Fallujah itself located just 43 miles from Baghdad. It is worth noting that both Anbar and Fallujah are positioned along the Euphrates River rather than the Tigris.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.