The Templars are the main historical rival of the Assassins throughout the Assassin's Creed series.
In the fictional mythology of the franchise, the Templars seek to impose peace through order and control, while the Assassins defend human freedom and individual choice. Their conflict is presented as a struggle between competing philosophies rather than a simple battle between heroes and villains.
The rivalry appears in many eras and under different names. In Assassin's Creed Origins, the ancient Order of the Ancients precedes the formal Templar Order. In later periods, Templars operate through political, military, religious, and commercial institutions. The modern corporation Abstergo Industries is also connected to the Templars.
The Assassins and Templars often pursue the same Pieces of Eden, powerful artifacts left by the Isu. The artifacts provide a recurring reason for their confrontation, while the philosophical disagreement explains why the conflict continues across centuries.