What is the name of the Assassin order's historical rival in Assassin's Creed?

The Templars are the historical rival of the Assassin order throughout Assassin's Creed.

In the series' central conflict, Assassins fight for human freedom and independent choice, while Templars seek order and control through powerful institutions and artifacts. The rivalry is presented as an ideological struggle rather than a simple conflict between heroes and villains. Both groups operate across different historical periods and use aliases, political influence, and secret networks.

The games sometimes use different names for related organizations. In Assassin's Creed Origins, the ancient precursor to the Assassins is called the Hidden Ones, while the Templar Order's ancient predecessor is the Order of the Ancients. The Cult of Kosmos is a separate faction in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, not the standard historical name for the Assassins' main rival.