Study of Mesopotamian Mythology

As I was writing my review on the last book I read, The Secrets of Nicholas Flamel: The Sorceress, I came to a major realization on one of it's mythological characters; Gilgamesh. It's a name I am familiar with but for some reason have always associated as a British legend. The book describes him as a mad king but doesn't get too much into his backstory. Upon further reviewing the character I came to realize that he is actually a Sumerian legend NOT a British legend. Furthermore this famous story, The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest stories in the world. This epic saga falls in the lore of ancient Sumerian religion which established a framework for the religions and mythologies to follow; such as Egyptian, Hebrew, and even Greek Mythology. 

I generally get the feeling that society considers Egypt as the mainstream ancient civilization and often overlooks the significance of Sumer and Mesopotamia. However it's quite factual that civilization began with Sumer as far back as 5500 BC. Located in the southern region of modern day Iraq, along the Persian Gulf and between the Euphrates and Tigris River, this valley was considered the cradle of civilization. The city of Uruk became the first major urban metropolis and served as the center of the Sumer region. It was from here and the city of Jemdet Nasr that some of the oldest texts were recorded pertaining to their religion and mythology, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh. The people of Sumer worshiped multiple gods and deities that each represented some form of supernatural force of nature. This practice of polytheism carried far beyond Sumer and eventually into Egypt.  

By 3000 BC the cradle of civilization had reached into upper Egypt and as far as the Indus Valley that had established civilizations to rival Sumer. By 2300 the civilization of Sumer was transformed into the Akkadian Empire who established a military presence across the Middle East. The religions and traditions established by Sumer were carried on throughout the Akkadian Empire (2300-2100 BC), into the Assyrian Empire (2025-600 BC), the Babylonian Empire (1890-540 BC), and even the Persian Empire (550-330 BC). It was not until the conquest of Alexander the Great, the Romans, and the spread of Islam that these religions were considered mythology. In this post I'd like to highlight some of the main mythological stories as well as the major deities.   

Creation and Flood Myth

Many of the myths of Mesopotamia culture were discovered on tablets by modern day archeologists. The writings are perhaps not as clear and legible as maybe the Egyptian heiroglyphics but keep in mind this is very ancient stuff. One of the earliest versions of creation myths from the Sumerians is referred to as the Eridu Genesis. In this account the world was created by the founder gods; An, Enil, Enki and Ninhursanga. A civilization of humans are molded from clay, and are later joined by animals, cities, and kings to preside over them. This period is however short-lived as the gods lose favor with the humans and bring a great flood upon the earth. It's interesting here how this Great Flood story precedes the Genesis Account of Noah and the Ark. 

Another version of the creation myth is the Atra-Hasis which came later from the Akkadian Empire. In this account mankind is created by the goddess Mami, to work and serve for the gods. However the antagonist god, Enlil decides to eliminate mankind with famine, disease, and eventually the great flood. Mankind is however saved by the hero Atrahasis, who is warned by the god Enki to build a boat. Similar to the account of Noah, Atrahasis carries his family and animals throughout the rainstorm for 7 days until the flood subsides. 

A third popular version of the creation myth is the Enuma Elis which came from the Babylonian Empire. In the beginning there was a watery swirl of chaos ruled by the gods Apsu and Tiamat. Together they give birth to the younger gods (such as Enki) who begin to disrupt Apsu's sleep, until they kill Apsu. Tiamet then declares war on the younger gods and brings chaos thru monsters and her champion Quingu. From the young gods, the champion Marduk emerges who defeats Quingu and kills Tiamet with an arrow. Marduk uses Tiamet's corpse to create the heavens and earth, while her tears make up the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Marduk and the god Ea create humankind to serve the gods, the first human being created is Lullu. 

Heroic Epics

Just as in Greek Mythology there were also heroic epics, of human heroes who were blessed with godlike power. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is considered one of the most significant sources of Mesopotamian religion and culture. Written around 2000 BC it pertains to the historical king Gilgamesh, who reigned over Uruk during the 29th century BC. In the story Gilgamesh is a demigod and befriend a wild man named Enkidu. Together they go on many trials and tribulations to prove their valor to the gods. The Goddess Ishtar offers Gilgamesh her hand in marriage, but he refuses. In response to this she sends the Bull of Heaven and eventually has Enkidu killed. 

The 2nd part of the epic pertains to Gilgamesh's search for immortality in the netherworld. He fails many of the quests put before him and comes to the realization that he is unable to acheive immortality. Gilgamesh journeys to find Utnapishtim, the sole survivor of the great flood. However Utnapishtim informs him that it is impossible to obtain and Gilgamesh later return to his home in Uruk. This famous heroic story inspired many other famous Greek epics such as the Labors of Herakles, the Illiad or Odyssey. 

 

Another famous heroic epic in Mesopotamian mythology is the story of Adapa. Following the Great Flood humankind was without a leader, that is until Adapa rose to prominence thru his gift of wisdom. One day while out fishing the wind capsized Adapa's boat and in anger he cursed the wind and broke it's wings. For his actions, the god Anu called Adapa into trial for cursing the wind. Before Adapa faced Anu he was advised by the god Ea not to accept any drink or food from Anu as it would likely kill him. Knowing this Anu offers Adapa the gift of immortality, but Adapa refuses it as was advised to him. For his lack of faith and trust, Adapa brings mortality to all of mankind. The story is quite similar to the Fall of Adam and Eve, only in reverse. Adam and Eve are cast out of heaven for eating the forbidden fruit while in this account Adapa is cast out of immortality because he does NOT eat the sacred food and drink.  

Famous Mesopotamian Gods

• Anu (Also known as An): Is the Supreme Mesopotamian God, the sky god, and the god of gods (on par with Zeus in Greek Mythology). He serve as the chief administrator of all laws pertaining to the gods and humankind. He has a role in both famous epics of Gilgamesh and Adapa. He loans the Bull of Heaven to his daughter Ishtar and he judges Adapa for cursing the wind. 

• Enki (Also known as Ea): Is the god of wisdom and water. He is regarded as one of the creator gods who molded humankind out of clay and established the rivers of Euphrates and Tigris. He is considered a protector against demons and wickedness. He counsels Adapa not to trust the god Anu, which as consequence makes all mankind mortal. 

• Enlil (Also known as the Great Mountain): He is also regarded as a creator god and the father of wind, air, earth, and storms. He is considered the god of fate and destiny. He can bring upon great calamities and natural disasters. In the Epic of Gilgamesh he is credited as the source of the Great Flood that kills most of humanity.   
  

• Ninurta: He is regarded as the god of farming, hunting, healing, law, scribes, and war. He cures humans of sickness and fights off demons. The Assyrians considered him a great warrior and symbol of military prowess. 

• Marduk: He was the warrior god who fought against the goddess Tiamat and helped create the universe from Tiamat's corpse. He is often associated with agriculture, medicine, justice, and magic. During the Babylonian Age he was considered the supreme god behind the balance of all things good and evil.

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  Ishtar (Also known as Ianna): She was the daughter of the supreme god Anu, and considered the Queen of the universe. She is associated with love, sex, fertility, and war. The Assyrians regarded her as the most important of the deities. In the Epic of Gilgamesh she served as an antagonist by tempting Gilgamesh and sending the Bull of Heaven to destroy him and his friend Enkidu. 

• Shamash (Also known as Utu): He is considered the god of the sun, just like the Greek God Apollo, who drags the sun by chariot each day. He is also considered the all-seeing God who is the father of truth and justice. For this he is associated with legal and business matters pertaining to justice. 
  

• Nanna (Also known as Sin): He is considered the god of the moon and night. He is also associated with foresight, magic, destiny, divination, astrology, and rituals.  

• Ereshkigal (Also known as Irkhalla): She is considered the goddess of death and the afterlife in the realm known as Kur. She is often regarded as the sister of Ishtar. 

• The Annukai: The seven judges of the afterlife. They are often associated with fate and destiny. Their biggest claim to fame was deeming Ishtar guilty and striking her dead. They later make a deal with her siblings that she can be free if they spend time each year in the afterlife (thus bringing about the cycle of seasons). This is a similar story to Persephone and Hades. 

Book Review: (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) The Sorceress

I just finished the 3rd book in Michael Scott's fantasy series, the Secrets of Nicholas Flamel. The book is once again loaded with very interesting mythological, folklore, and historical characters. The story however is more of the same, children learning their magical powers while they run away from villains. I enjoy how easy it has been to read this book series, but after the 3rd book I can start to understand why it hasn't been a successful franchise. The author clearly enjoys mythology (especially Celtic legends) and relies too heavily on this in his fantasy book. 

The plot has become quite similar to it's previous books and has become somewhat predictable. The heroes arrive at a new city on the run, meet some new legends to help them, while the enemies also enlist legends. They have some confrontations in various locations and then continue to run. The human twins coming to terms with their power no longer seems to carry the weight or interest it did in the first book. I think I'll stop after this book and maybe just read a summary of the final few books in the series for closure. What I did very much enjoy about the series however was all the historical and mythological characters. 

The Plot

The twins Josh and Sophie travel to London via train with their magical guide Nicholas Flamel. They are still on the run from John Dee and Machiavelli and seeking someone in England who can continue to train them. Sophie has learned two of the four elemental magics, while Josh has not learned any. Flamel plans to take them to the legendary king Gilgamesh to learn the magic of water. Meanwhile Perenelle Flamel is still stranded on Alcatraz Island accompanied by many wicked villains and monsters such as the Sphinx and the Morrigan. She survives an attack of poisonous flies from the newly recruited immortal Billy the Kid much thanks to the spider army of Areop Enap. 

After realizing they are being tracked by hooded spirits, Nicholas Flamel takes the twins to a refuge junkyard hosted by the heroic Saracen Knight, Palamedes and his companion William Shakespeare. Both immortals do not like Flamel, however they hate John Dee even worse and so decide to help them. They are able to make contact with Perenelle thru the magical practice of scrying. However their reunion is cut short, when the Dark Elders send the legendary Archon, Cernunnos and his Wild Hunt army to attack the stronghold. A battle ensues at the junkyard where Shakespeare's Gabriel-Hounds fight the Wild Hunt demons. Josh displays some magical heroic prowess and entraps Cernunnos before they escape the junkyard. 

Perenelle is once again assisted by the Spanish ghost Juan Manual de Ayala and the legendary spider Areop Enap. However the spider is weakened by the poisonous assault of flies and must go into slumber. Perenelle fights off the Sphinx once again and also the sea God Nereus and his army of Nereids. She is later able to enlist help from the defeated Morrigan who is locked in a cell. This time the Morrigan takes the shape of her twin sisters, Macha and Badb who decide to help Perenlle (as the Morrigan is triad persona). The cunning Machiavelli arrives to Alcatraz to meet with Billy the Kid and free all the ancient monsters locked up on the island. However Perenelle is finally able to escape the island by stealing Machiavelli's boat. 

The twins finally unite with the mysterious Gilgamesh, referred to as a mad king. They find refuge in a barn where Gilgamesh passes on his knowledge of the elemental magic of water. This session is again cut short however when Cernunnos arrives once again with his Wild Hunt army. Cernunnos is able to puncture Gilgamesh with several arrows, however the twins come to his protection with their new found magical powers. They once again escape with the help of Shakespeare and his Gabriel Hounds to drive to Stonehenge. Nicholas Flamel and the twins are able to use the ley-gates within Stonehenge to travel to San Francisco where they are awaited by the recently escaped Perenelle. 

New Historical Figures

• Billy the Kid (1859-1881): Henry McCarthy, also known as William Bonney or most infamously as Billy the Kid was an iconic criminal of the Old American West. It is believe he killed 21 people in his criminal dealings and gunfights. He died at the young age of 21.  
• William Shakespeare (1564-1616): The most famous of English playwrights his work has lived on as the pinnacle of poetry, and he is considered one of the greatest writers in history. His life is also one of intrigue and mystery since he published so much work and yet so little is known about his private life.

New Mythological Figures

• Palamedes: In the legends of King Arthur, he is a Knight of the Round Table. He is a Middle Eastern warrior from the Middle Ages referred to as a Saracen Knight. He is at odds with Tristan for his love of Iseult. 
  
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  Cernunnos: In Celtic Mythology he is referred to as the horned god with antlers. He is often associated with stags, dogs, bulls, and serpents. He has become a great symbol of neopaganism and Wicca practice, which often gives him the wicked villainous portrayal.  
• Gilgamesh the King: He is a central figure in Sumerian Mythology thru the famous writing of the Epic of Gilgamesh (believed to have been written in 2100-1200 BC). He is depicted as an ancient king of the city of Uruk who becomes a demigod and confronts various deities throughout his story. It is believed that this story influenced the iconic works and heroes of Greek Mythology.
• Nereus: In Greek Mythology he is referred to as the Old Man of the Sea, a water deity in he likes of Poseidon who has 50 sea nymph daughters referred to as the Nereids. 
• Genii Cucullati: In Celtic Mythology they are depicted as 3 hooded spirits, a triple deity in the likes of the Morrigan. 
• Gabriel Hounds: In Welsh Mythology they are referred to as Cwn Annwn a form of spectral hellhounds often associated with the Wild Hunt. 

Historical Study: Golden Age of Islam

The setting of Assassin's Creed Mirage takes place in the 860s in the capital city of Baghdad during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphate. I've often heard of this term, caliphate, but I know very little of it's historical or cultural significance. It's essentially a government, like a monarchy or democracy, that is ruled by religious law, in this case, Islamic Law. Following the emergence of the Prophet Muhammad (570-632 AD) the religion of Islam quickly spread all throughout the Middle East. First came the Rashidun Caliphate (from 632-661 AD), then the Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 AD), and finally the most prominent that ushered in the golden age was the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 AD). 

To better understand this cultural renaissance that occurred in the Middle East, one could look towards the state of the western world for more context. This period in history is often referred to as the dark ages, because the Roman Empire had collapsed and there really wasn't a driving civilization in the world for some time. Christianity was slowly beginning to spread throughout Europe, however most of civilization was run by warlords, barbarians, and Viking tribes. The Holy Roman Empire and The Byzantine Empire established some order, but nowhere near the structure that it's predecessor did. 

Since the fall of the mighty Persian Empire to Alexander the Great (331 BC) the Middle East more-or-less took a passenger seat to western affairs. They became a puppet state of the Macedonians, Greeks, and the Romans. They eventually did establish some separation and self-governing in certain regions where the Selecuid, Parthian, and Sasanian Empires sought to restore their ancient heritage. Prior to the establishment of Islam in the 600s, most ancient Arabic religions comprised of polytheistic deity worship (on par with Egyptian or Greek Mythology). One of the more popular religions practiced was Zoroastrianism, based off the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster. This religion was practiced throughout the Persian Empire up into the Sasanian Empire, and was considered as a home-grown ideology as opposed to Christianity or Judaism. 

The Rise of the Prophet Muhammad

I know very little of the Prophet Muhammad, only that he is considered the founder of Islam, and that his followers are very dedicated. The religion of Islam is the 2nd most popular religion in the world after Christianity. Surprisingly it was not established until 610 AD during the ministry of Muhammad. I for one thought the religion had a much more ancient history than this, but I believe it still pulls from the Jewish Old Testament as well. I've often heard that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all worship the same god with different teachings and practices. His work during this period would lead to a very significant historical and cultural renaissance. 

Muhammad was born in Mecca, 570 AD (present day Saudi Arabia), the son of a tribal leader, who died very early. He was raised by his grandfather and little is known of his childhood only that he was filled with spirituality. At the age of 40 he began to seek a deeper meaning to life and philosophy and would spend days secluded in the nearby caves. It was in 610, in the cave of Hira, that he claimed to have been visited by the angel Gabriel who inspired him to establish these new teachings into a book known as the Quran. From 613-619 AD Muhammad began his ministry teaching and spreading the word of this new found religion of Islam. He quickly began to amass followers throughout the city of Mecca, which also brought upon political opposition. 

In 622 AD Muhammad fled to the city of Medina to reorganize his growing base, away from his growing agitators in Mecca. This event is known as the Hijra, and the beginning of the Islamic Calendar. During his time in Medina, Muhammad was able to unite many of the local tribes and establish a much larger following. Soon his followers were doing open battle with the power elite of Mecca, known as the Quraysh. The Quraysh were pagan worshippers who sought to persecute what they considered as blasphemy. The Muslim-Quraysh war waged throughout the provinces of Saudi Arabia from 624-630 AD. In 631 AD Muhammad gathered an army of 10,000 and easily conquered the city of Mecca (without much bloodshed). All pagan religions were brought to an end and Islam became the main religion of Arabia. Muhammad died the following year but his religion would begin to spread throughout the middle east like a wildfire. 

The Age of Caliphates

Following the death of Muhammad, his successor was disputed but eventually the role passed to his father in-law, Abu Bakr in 632 AD. This marked the beginning of the Rashidun Caliphate which quickly rose to prominence throughout the Middle East. Abu's reign only lasted two years, and passed over to Umar who began a military campaign which really put the Caliphate on the map. From 630-651 the Rashidun Caliphate began a successful military campaign conquering Levant (Israel/Syria), Egypt, and Persia (Iran). By this point they had become the new cultural, economic, and military power of the Middle East. And through this conquest came the vast spread of the growing religion of Islam. Their rise to power was driven and motivated by this new influence of Islam. 

However with every great monarchy, comes internal disputes and that was the case for the Rashidun Caliphate. The First Fitna was a civil war that took place from 656-661, a dispute of power, it lead to the overthrew of the Rashidun Caliphate and the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate. The capital of the government moved from the Arabic city of Medina, to the Syrian city of Damascus. However Islam remained their driving force and thus the military conquest continued throughout the middle east. By 709 AD that had conquered the northwestern region of Africa known as the Maghreb. By 714 they had conquered most of India, Central Asia, and by the 720s under the leadership of Al-Walid they had conquered Spain. Stretching from Spain to India, the Caliphate had one of the largest empires in history. They were finally repelled by the Frankish Visigoths in southern Gaul (France). 

The Umayyad Caliphate reigned for nearly 100 years and oversaw the continued growth of Islam (while still accepting Christians and Jews into their society). The Umayyad Mosque was built in Damascus in 715 AD and remains to this day the largest and oldest mosque in the world. Islamic art and architecture began to emerge during this era, however it would eventually boom during the succeeding Abbasid Caliphate. In 747 AD the Abbasid Revolution began to fight for multi-ethnic tolerance, from the majority of non-Arabic people (who were not persecuted but still felt discriminated). Regions from Persia, Central Asia, and Mesopotamia united against the Umayyad dynasty to have them overthrown in 750 to establish the Abbasid Caliphate. The Umayyad dynasty relocated to the city of Cordoba, Spain which would later thrive as a province of the Abbasid Caliphate. 

The Abbasid Caliphate moved it's capital from Damascus to Kufa, Iraq but later founded it's iconic city of Baghdad in 762 as the new capital. Near the ancient grounds of Babylon, Baghdad would become the center of an Islamic cultural renaissance. In this age there was a focus on civilization over military conquest, that brought great discoveries in science, astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, and the arts. The House of Wisdom was established in the late 8th century as a new center for learning. While Islam was the dominant religion at this point the government was very tolerant towards other religions and ethnicities. This Renaissance was no doubt brought on by a new cultural fusion between Persians and Arabs. 

Throughout this Golden Age, there were still political and military engagements first with the Byzantine Empire, of which the Abbasid Caliphate was able to repel their invasion in 806. Then civil wars from within, such as the Great Civil War of Abbasid in 812-813 that brought upon a siege to Baghdad and the overthrow of the caliph. In 836 the capital was moved from Baghdad to Samara where it's iconic spiral minaret mosque was built in 848. From this point on the caliph dynasty was fractured among regions throughout Mesopotamia, which gave way to anarchy for a period in Samara (861-870), the control of the Iranian Buyids, and the Seljuk Turks. In 1258 the city of Baghdad was sieged by a Mongol Invasion which brought an end to the Abbasid Caliphate and the Islamic Golden Age. 

The Round City of Baghdad

The video game AC Mirage, takes place in this unique round city of high walls deep in the desert, like something out of a movie. I never realized that this was the historical capital of Baghdad which was once the largest city in the world. The city was no doubt built as a statement piece to demonstrate booming wealth and culture. It was built near the iconic ancient city of Babylon, which served as the center of the neo-Babylonian and Persian Empires. At it's center was the Palace of the Golden Gate where the Abbasid caliph sat. Near the palace was the Great Mosque of al-Mansur and various other government buildings. 

The city was built in a circle about 4 mile circumference, with it's high walls and four main gates. Aside from it's central palace and mosque one of it's most iconic buildings was the House of Wisdom. This began as a great library that expanded into an academy of learning and higher enlightenment. From here there was a great exchange and development of Islam art, poetry, music, and philosophy. There was also a boom of sciences in alchemy, astronomy, physics, medicine, biology, and mathematics. Scholars from all over the world came to Baghdad to learn, share, and develop breakthroughs in many different disciplines. Sadly much of the history and architecture of this age was later destroyed during the Mongol Siege in 1268. 

Contributions from the Islamic Golden Age

• Earliest establishment of public education and univerisities
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  Major developments in mathematics such as the foundation of Algebra by Al-Khwarizmi and analytic geometry by Omar Khayyan. As well as breakthroughs in trigonometry, calculus, and establishing the decimal fraction system. 
• Breakthroughs in scientific research from Alhazen who identified the theory of visual perception, optics, and reflection; and Avicenna who experimented with medical drugs and wrote the Book of Healing 
  
• Advances in astronomy that rejected the notion that everything revolved around the earth. They introduced new techniques, mathematical systems, and measurements such as the geocentric model and the Tusi-Couple. They also invented devices such as the astrolobe and the quadrant to better identify and navigate the stars. 
• They established the frameworks of alchemy and chemistry notably from Jabir ibn Hayyan. He defined the metallic compositions as well as the classification of chemical substances. 
• Ibn al-Nafis made breakthroughs in biology regarding the cardiovascular and nervous system. They also laid the groundwork to zoology and natural selection notably from al-Jahiz who described a theory of "struggle for existence" in his Book of Animals.  
• Ibn Khaldun is regarded as the founding father of modern economics, sociology, historiography, and demography. 
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  Breakthroughs in medical treatment, healthcare, surgery, pharmacies, and medicine. The Canon of Medicine became the central source of medical practice during the age.  
• The poetry of Rumi (regarded as the greatest of all Persian poets) as well as other famous poets such as Hafez, Saadi, Ferdowsi, and Amir Khusrow. 
  
• Literature classics such as the famous One Thousand and One Nights of Middle Eastern folktales. This includes the stories of Sinbad the Sailor, Aladdin, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.  
• Islamic Art demonstrated an original blend of calligraphy and geometrical patterns as well as colorful displays. Quite often this art is absent of any real figures and more-so a demonstration of abstract shapes and colors. These patterns became very popular in their Persian carpets. 
• Contributions to musical theory from Al-Farabi pertaining to melody types. He was an admirer of the famous court flute musician Ziryab and Al-Kindi.

Architectural Sites from the Islamic Golden Age

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  The Prophet's Mosque. Formerly the Quba Mosque(Medina) Built in 623
• The Sacred Mosque of Masjid al-Haram (Mecca) Built in 638
• Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia) Built in 670
  
• Great Mosque of Kufa (Iraq) Built in 670
• Al Aqsa. The Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem) Built in 692
• Umayyad Mosque (Damascus) Built in 715
• Jameh Mosque of Isfahan (Iran) Built in 771
• Great Mosque at Cordoba (Spain) Built in 785
• Great Mosque of Samara (Iraq) Built in 848
• Alhambra (Granada, Spain) 1238

Video Game Review: Assassin's Creed Mirage

The past couple weeks I have done a full emersion into Middle Eastern culture thanks to the newest Assassin's Creed game, Mirage. This is a cultural topic I have always been fascinated with, but have rarely gotten into. The game is set in Baghdad during the Golden Age of Islam (from 800s to 1200s). I have been aware that some of the earliest civilizations in human history took place in the Middle East such as Sumer, the Assyrian Empire, and the Persian Empire. I was not aware that Baghdad was once the largest city in the world, by which the Abbasid Caliphate ushered in a golden renaissance. I intend to further write/study on this historical period so won't focus too much on the game setting here. 

This release by Ubisoft marks an end to an almost three year wait after the release of Valhalla in 2020. The popular video game series is undergoing a major transformation with various new platforms and games slated to release in the next couple years. The game has been one of my favorite franchises for it's open world historical settings. This game, Mirage was a clear break from their previous formats and a return to stealth over combat. It's central character Basim was a part of the Valhalla storyline who introduced the Hidden Ones brotherhood to Eivor. This game takes place several years before the events of Valhalla, and focuses on Basim's story and initiation into the brotherhood. 

The Game-Play

Basim grows up in the outskirts of Baghdad in a city known as Anbar (present day Iraq). He works as a street thief with his friend Nehal, but seeks more purpose and goes on a daring quest to join the Hidden One Brotherhood. He steals an artifact from the Abbasid Caliphate and shows it to the Hidden Ones, who welcome him into their brotherhood. Basim then undergoes training before he is set off on his first assignment in Baghdad to uncover the mysterious cult of the Ancient Order. He undergoes various trials, searches, and assassinations throughout the Round City of Baghdad. He discovers that many of the Abbassid government officials and servicemen are corrupted by this ancient order and seeks to cleans the city from it's wickedness.

Unlike previous games such as Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla that had a power-up feature to the character which put more emphasis on combat, this game does not. Instead it dials down the complexity to a simpler format seen in the earlier games. The gameplay is once again all about stealth and not about magical powers, gear, and weapon upgrades. Basim can hold his own against an enemy, but it is no easy task against multiple enemies. This format requires stealth or flee tactics, rather than fight your way thru things (which makes the game more challenging and enjoyable). The game kind of reminded me of the 1st one (which took place in Israel/Syria) or Assassin's Creed Revelations (which took place in Constantinople). 

Aside from the main story and various collectables there aren't many side-quest interactions in this game. Instead there is a web of investigation pertaining to the main story, and contracts on the side. Performing contracts is good for tokens used to recruit help but not necessary for improving the character's level like in previous games. Basim can collect resources to improve his weapons and gear (but the arsenal is much more limited then before). Weapons include swords, daggers, throwing knives, blowdarts, smoke bombs, and noisemakers. I found the smoke-bombs to be the most effective at easily killing multiple enemies at a time. (I believe this was also the case for Constantinople, which almost felt like a cheat).

The other usual AC features are included like a loyal stead (either horse or camel) that can be called upon at any moment. Also the return of an aerial eagle companion (Enkidu) that offers great overhead eagle-vision. In this game however the bird will get shot at if there is a marksman on duty (which brings an additional challenge to take out the marksman before utilizing Enkidu's vision). Most quests or assassination zones offer various methods and opportunities to perform the task, which makes the game so enjoyable. When all else fails there is still the option to charge, kill, and run but this rarely works well plus it's just not as rewarding. 

Basim has the typical assassin skills, with the iconic assassin's switchblade used for quick stealth kills. He can blend in crowds or use various means of distractions such as hiring singers or mercenaries. The climbing is reminiscent to earlier games with routes to take, rather then the ability to climb anywhere. He can pickpocket which is often needed in main quests or simply collecting additional money or resources. He also has the iconic eagle vision which allows him to identify enemy threats, allies, and even locate treasures. The viewpoints are ideal for uncovering all the map has to offer. 

All-in-all I'd say this was a very limited game compared to previous more ambitious games. I zipped thru the main story rather quickly and effortlessly and probably put no more than 20 hours into the main story, and maybe an additional 5 hours into contracts and exploring. The setting of Baghdad was interesting but hardly offered much awe-inspiring buildings (aside from the House of Wisdom and some mosques here and there). I was glad to see they removed the present-day animus storyline which always takes away from the historical magic. I was overall satisfied and inspired by the game, but don't think it would make my top ten favorite AC games. 

Book Review: (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) The Magician

I recently finished the 2nd book in Michael Scott's book series, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, The Magician. The book was once again loaded with great historical and mythological insight and quite the easy page turner. I actually read a majority of the book on my flight to Boston a few weeks ago. This is saying something since I can rarely read well on a flight. But the book easily captured my attention as the two Newman twins raced across Paris. Alongside Nicholas Flamel and Scatty, they were joined by some new historical allies yet also some new villains. I'll once again break down the plot and the iconic characters from the book.

The Plot

At the end of Book 1, the twins, Flamel, and Scathach narrowly escape John Dee's immortal army in the small town of Ojai, California. At the house of the Witch of Endor they are able to go thru a portal, a ley line, that connects them to Paris. They arrive in a closet of the Sacre Coeur Basilica of Paris, France and are quickly surrounded by a new adversary, Niccolo Machiavelli. He also is an immortal who serves the dark elders and seeks to capture the codex pages and powers that the twins possess. Sophie is able to use her newly awakened powers to create a thick fog around the area, which allows them to escape from Machiavelli's police officers. They then briefly regroup at a coffee shop to find someone in Paris who can help them. 

They call the Witch of Endor who tells them to meet another alchemist at the Eiffel Tower. The alchemist happens to be Comte de Saint-Germain, the student of Nicholas Flamel who lived during the 1700s. The group is once again discovered by Machiavelli's officers and Saint-Germain puts forth a magical display of fireworks to once again distract them and escape. They return to Saint-Germain's house where they meet his wife, Joan of Arc. Saint-Germain trains Sophie in fire magic, while Joan of Arc and Scatty train Josh with his new sword, Clarent (the enemy of Excalibur). Meanwhile Nicholas Flamel grows weaker as he no longer has his immortal elixir. 

John Dee reunites with Machiavelli in Paris, and are escorted by the mysterious fish/humanoid Dagon. The two cannot stand one another yet share a common interest to capture the twins and turn them to their side. They decide to recruit the help of a group of Valkyries, known as the Disir and a mighty dragon known as the Nidhogg. The Disir are intent to seek revenge on Scathach and lead the assault on the house of Saint-Germain. Scatty, Joan-of-Arc, Sophie, and Josh are able to repel their attack but the dragon Nidhogg causes significant damage. He captures Scatty in his claws and runs off with her, while Josh heroically chases after her. Two of the Disir warriors are frozen while the third escapes. 

The Nidhogg tears thru the streets of Paris destroying everything in it's path. John Dee and Machiavelli are able to track the creature and discover that Josh is nearby. Near the Seine River Josh is able to confront the dragon, and pierces him several times with the magical sword Clarent, which pours stone into the blood of the dragon. He then faces the third Disir and is surprisingly able to stand his ground against the mighty Valkyrie warrior. Before Scatty can be freed however, Dagon is set loose upon her. He pulls her down into the river with the sinking dragon. John Dee and Machiavelli are able to collect Josh in their car after the pandemonium finally settles down. 

Meanwhile Flamel's wife Perenelle is still trapped at Alcatraz guarded by the Sphinx who drains all her magical powers. She is able to call upon a ghost however, Juan Manuel de Ayala, a Spanish captain who discovered the San Franscisco Bay. He informs her of the caves under the prison, and helps her escape from the Sphinx. Under the caves she witnesses many cells of monsters and discovers that John Dee is keeping them prison here. Furthermore he calls upon the Morrigan to finish Perenelle off. Perenelle however discovers the giant spider elder, Areop-Enap an old friend of hers and recruits her help fighting against the Morrigan. Together they are able to defeat the Morrigan and her army of crows. 

Sophie and Flamel are very concerned when they discover Josh has run off with John Dee and Machiavelli. Sophie is able to use her magical powers to track the golden aura trail of Josh and they follow them down into the catacombs of Paris. This underground labyrinth was once a burial site for the overcrowded dead of Paris, and is layered with many skulls. Josh is led to the dark elder Mars Ultor, the Roman god of War (also known as Ares). His powers are awakened by the elder who demands a favor in return. However at this point Sophie confronts Mars Ultor and freezes him as she runs off with her brother. 

Back above ground the group comes to the Notre Dame Cathedral where they are confronted by John Dee and Machiavelli's army of living gargoyle statues. At first they are overwhelmed but later Sophie and Josh are able to reunite their magical auras to blast the statues into rubble. They are able to flee the battle scene, where on top the cathedral Machiavelli and Dee promise to continue their hunt. The twins and Flamel say goodbye to Saint-Germain and Joan of Arc and board a train to London. Josh is upset that Scatty has drowned, but Flamel informs him that she will be alright.  

New Historical Characters 

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  Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527): He was a prominent Florentine diplomat, author, and philosopher during the Italian Renaissance. He played a vital role in the ongoing governing administration of the Florence Republic. He is often considered the father of modern political science. 
• Comte de Saint-Germain (1712-1784): He was a famous European philosopher, scientist, author, musician, and alchemist who traveled all across Europe. His life was a rather mysterious one as he traveled from country to country engaging in diplomatic missions and high society functions. He spent time in England, France, and the Netherlands throughout his life.
  
• Joan of Arc (1412-1431): She was a French hero, soldier, and saint who lead the French to victory at the Siege of Orleans during the Hundred Years War. She claimed to have been visited by divine intervention to lead the French army. However she was later defeated at the Siege of Paris in 1429 and shortly after burnt to the stake on charges of heresy at the age of 19. Her honor was later restored as a saint and a national hero of France. 
• Juan Manual de Ayala (1745-1797): He was a Spanish explorer who was the first to discover the San Francisco bay in 1775. His ship the San Carlos landed on Angel Island and later Alcatraz Island (of which Ayala named). 

New Mythological Characters

• Dagon: In Sumerian and Mesopotamian Mythology he was regarded as a father of gods, lord of the land, prosperity, and royalty. He was often depicted as a fish-humanoid worshiped by the ancient Syrians, Philistines, and many other civilizations throughout ancient Mesopotamia. 
• 
  The Disir: In Norse Mythology the Disir are like the female Valkyrie warriors, who bring the glorious dead souls into Valhalla. They serve as ghostly protectors of fate often depicted as riding flying horses and carrying swords. 
  
• Nidhogg: In Norse Mythology is a dragon-like monster that gnaws at the root tree of Yggdrasil. He is often portrayed as a villainous monster who chews away at the corpses of wicked men.
• Areop-Enap: In Micronesian Mythology, particularly the indigenous peoples of Nauru, this was a giant spider who was worshiped as the source of creation. The spider is often depicted as having the face of a human. 
• Mars Ultor: In Roman Mythology he is often referred to as Mars (or Ares in Greek Mythology) the god of war. The planet Mars and the month of March are named after him. He was considered the father of Romulus and Remus who founded the city of Rome. He is often depicted as having a love affair with Venus (or Aphrodite in Greek Mythology). 
• Phobos and Demios: In Greek and Roman Mythology they are the sons of Ares or Mars. They represent fear and panic, specifically in battle. They serve as their father's guards often depicted as frightening skeletal creatures.