Hasan ibn Sabbah

Hasan ibn Sabbah was a Persian-born Arab religious leader and the founder of the Nizari Ismaili sect of Shia Islam in the 11th century. He is best known for establishing a network of secretive strongholds, including the famous fortress of Alamut in Persia, and developing a reputation for strategic and sometimes daring methods to promote his faith. His followers, called Assassins, became known for targeted political killings, which aimed to influence rival powers and defend their community. His leadership and tactics left a lasting impact on Middle Eastern history and the development of Islamic sects.