Which historical era is the primary setting of the original Assassin’s Creed game?

The primary historical setting of the original Assassin’s Creed game is the Third Crusade.

The game’s historical chapters take place in 1191, during the Third Crusade, a conflict involving Latin Christian forces and Muslim powers in the eastern Mediterranean. Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad carries out missions in the Levantine cities of Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus.

The story uses real historical figures and locations while adding fictional elements, including the Assassin Brotherhood’s secret war against the Templars. The game’s science-fiction premise explains how Desmond Miles experiences Altaïr’s memories through the Animus, allowing the series to combine medieval history with a modern framing plot.

This period is distinct from the Renaissance setting of Assassin’s Creed II, the French Revolution setting of Unity, and the Caribbean piracy setting of Black Flag. The original game’s 1191 date is one of its clearest historical markers.