In Assassin's Creed II, which Italian nobleman becomes an Assassin?

Ezio Auditore da Firenze becomes an Assassin in Assassin's Creed II.

Ezio begins the game as a young Florentine nobleman in 15th-century Italy. After his father and brothers are executed as part of a conspiracy, Ezio discovers his family's connection to the Assassin Order. He then works with allies in Florence, Monteriggioni, Venice, and other locations while pursuing those responsible.

His transformation is gradual. Leonardo da Vinci helps Ezio understand and improve equipment based on ancient designs, while figures such as Niccolò Machiavelli and Caterina Sforza connect his journey to the politics of Renaissance Italy. The game combines fictional characters with historical personalities and events.

Ezio is not the protagonist of the original game; that role belongs to Altaïr. He later returns in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed: Revelations, creating the franchise's first multi-game protagonist arc. His full name is commonly shortened to Ezio Auditore, but the canonical name includes “da Firenze.”