ABSTRACT
About the time when the Western or Egyptian Ismaeli were beginning to decline, a new branch of the sect appeared in Northern Persia, w-hich was first called the Eastern Ismaeli, but afterwards became more celebrated under the title of The Assassins. The founder of this branch was Hassan-Ibn-Mohammed-as-Sabah, who was a native of Rey, or Rha, the ancient Ragae. His father Ali was a distinguished Schiite of Khorassan. Although regarded with suspicion by Orthodox Mussulmans, he asserted that he was a native of Cufa, and a devoted adherent to the Sunnite creed; as a proof he sent his son Hassan to be educated by the most celebrated Orthodox doctor of the age. Hassan was originally a believer in the twelve Imaums, but asserted that during an illness he had been converted to the Ismaeli doctrines, of which the Caliphs of Egypt were the head. He journeyed into Egypt, where he was gladly welcomed by the reigning Caliph, Mostanzer. After the death of this Caliph, Hassan returned to Persia, by way of Syria, and gained possession, by force and stratagem, of an impregnable mountain-fastness called from its position Alamoot, that is “the eagle's nest.” This was in a.d. 1090. Pretending that he was the Huddjah, or demonstration of the Invisible Imaum, he procured followers among the pre-existing Ismaeli sect, and succeeded in persuading his followers that to die for the Imaum or the Order was to procure certain felicity. He gained castle after castle in Persia, and soon obtained great power, inspiring terror in the hearts of all by the sudden assassination of caliphs and viziers. About a.d. 1100, the Assassins appeared in Syria, existing almost independently in the mountains of Summak, the southern part of the Nusairi range. According to Dheheby 1 : “The Ismaeli of Alamoot sent into Syria, in the year 1107 or after, one of their missionaries. Many adventures happened to him, until he made himself master of several fortresses in the mountain of Sanak, which belonged to the Ansaireeh”
