Who is the main historical protagonist of the first Assassin's Creed game?

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad is the main historical protagonist of the first Assassin's Creed game.

Altaïr is a Syrian Assassin active during the Third Crusade. At the beginning of the game, he is a highly ranked but overconfident member of the Brotherhood. After failing an important mission, he is demoted by his mentor, Al Mualim, and must regain his rank through a series of assassination investigations.

The character's name means “Flying Eagle, Son of No One” in Arabic transliteration. His story takes players through cities including Masyaf, Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus.

Altaïr is sometimes confused with Ezio Auditore because Ezio became the most prominent early-series hero. Ezio stars in Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations, whereas Altaïr anchors the original game and returns in an important storyline in Revelations.