A chunk of gold ore
Gold is a chemical element which takes the form of a soft, bright yellow metal. Throughout the history of human society, it has been highly valued for its beauty to the extent that it is an almost universal symbol of wealth, nobility, and luxury.
History
General
Gold has been used throughout human history not only to craft jewellery and mint coinage, but also in other arts.[1]
5th century BCE
In 5th century BCE Greece, the Athenian sculptor Phidias became famous for using chryselephantine, a combination of gold and ivory, to create exquisite statues, such as the Athena Parthenos, a statue of the goddess Athena within Parthenon,[2] and the Statue of the god Zeus within the Temple of Zeus in the Sanctuary of Olympia, Elis.[1]
Crusades
In 1190, the Templar leader Basilisk and the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad both ventured into the Temple of Sand in a race for its fabled Chalice but found within it an empty shrine made of gold instead.[3]
The Knights Templar minted currency using various metals, including gold, for their own use during the Crusades. Later, these coins were obtained by the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad from Templar guards, pirate, and duelists in Cyprus and Acre's harbor.[4]
Early modern era
Silvio Barbarigo displaying the Golden Mask
During the Renaissance, the Basilica di San Marco of Venice was such a symbol of opulence and power that it was often referred to as the Chiesa d'Oro, "Church of Gold".[5]
In 1486, the acting Doge of Venice, Marco Barbarigo, held an exclusive party during the Carnevale with a Golden Mask proving an honorary guest's right to enter it. Among the competitors for the mask was the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze as well as Dante Moro.[6][7][8] Due to foul play by Silvio Barbarigo, Dante won the mask,[9] but Ezio pickpocketed it soon after.[10]
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins forged a number of weapons and armor with gold for use against the Spanish Templars.[11]
19th century
In 19th century United States, gold was found in a mill owned by John Sutter, and this discovery resulted in the California Gold Rush.[12]
Symbolism
Gold's relative rarity alongside its natural beauty cemented it as a prized metal for civilizations across the world and a symbol of elite status. As a result, the word gold has been used to connote prosperity; "Golden Age" is a metaphor used to refer to a peak era, such as the Golden Age of Piracy, a period of high pirate activity in the West Indies which became romanticized in later generations.[13][14]
Behind the scenes
Gold is used for crafting in several Assassin's Creed games.
Gallery
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles
- Assassin's Creed II
- Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy
- Assassin's Creed: Pirates
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
- Assassin's Creed Volume 1: Trial by Fire
- Assassin's Creed: Origins
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Attika: "Parthenon"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: A Walk Through History (1189-1868) – Chapter 2: The Italian Renaissance – Venice
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – And They're Off
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – CTF
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Ribbon Round-Up
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Cheaters Never Prosper
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Having a Blast
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion
- ↑ Assassin's Creed #001
- ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue