The 88,8838 (Persian/Arabic: ashshshin also Hashishin Hassassin

or Hashashiyyin ) were an order of Nizari smailis particularly those of Persia (and Syria) that existed
from around 1092 to 1265. Posing a strong military threat to Sunni Saljuq authority within the Persian
territories the Nizari smailis captured and inhabited many mountain fortresses under the leadership
of Hassan-i Sabbah.
The name 'Assassin' from the Arabic Hashishin or "users of hashish"
1]
was originally derogatory and
used by their adversaries during the Middle Ages. The modern word 'assassin' is derived from this name.
However Amin Malouf states that "The truth is different. According to texts that have come down to us
from Alamut Hassan-i Sabbah liked to call his disciples Asasiyun meaning people who are faithful to the
Ass meaning 'foundation' of the faith. This is the word misunderstood by foreign travelers that seemed
similar to 'hashish'".
The Masyaf branch of the Assassins was taken over by the Mamluk Sultan Baibars in 1273.
The Mamluks however continued to use the services of the remaining Assassins: bn Battuta reported in
the 14th century their fixed rate of pay per murder. n exchange the higher authorities allowed them to
exist. The mention of Assassins were also preserved within European sources such as the writings
of Marco Polo in which they are depicted as trained killers responsible for the systematic elimination of
opposing figures.