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"Illuminata" redirects here. For the 1998 John Turturro film, see Illuminata (film). For other uses, see Illuminati (disambiguation).

Illuminati is a name that refers to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, it refers specifically to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded in the late eighteenth century. However, in modern times it refers to a purported conspiratorial organization which acts as a shadowy power behind the throne, allegedly controlling world affairs through present day governments and corporations, usually as a modern incarnation or continuation of the Bavarian Illuminati. In this context, Illuminati is often used in reference to a New World Order (NWO). Many conspiracy theorists believe the Illuminati are the masterminds behind events that will lead to the establishment of such a New World Order. Confusing the issue further is the fact that there are also several modern fraternal groups which include the word "Illuminati" in their names. John Michael Turturro (born February 28, 1957) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor noted for his performances in To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), The Color of Money (1986), Five Corners (1987), Men of Respect (1991), Quiz Show (1994), Monday Night Mayhem (1999), Secret Window (2004), The... The Illuminati refers to one of any number of secretive groups, including the Bavarian Illuminati. ... The Age of Enlightenment (French: ; Italian: ; German: ; Spanish: ; Swedish: ; Polish: ; Portuguese: ) was an eighteenth-century movement in Western philosophy. ... For the Europe album, see Secret Society (Europe album). ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... The phrase power behind the throne refers to a person or group that informally exercises the real power of an office. ... A government is an organization that has the power to make and enforce laws for a certain territory. ... A corporation (usually known in the United Kingdom and Ireland as a company) is a legal entity (distinct from a natural person) that often has similar rights in law to those of a Civil law systems may refer to corporations as moral persons; they may also go by the name... For other uses, see Bavaria (disambiguation). ... One World Government redirects here. ... A conspiracy theory is a theory that defies common historical or current understanding of events, under the claim that those events are the result of manipulations by two or more individuals or various secretive powers or conspiracies. ...

In rarer cases, the Illuminati refers to an elite set of enlightened individuals who may not cooperate but are uniquely empowered by their enlightenment, much like the intelligentsia classes of today are empowered by their education and intelligence. These are people who have become illuminated and have achieved a higher mystical understanding of the universe. Many secret societies and mystical traditions are concerned with this kind of illumination or enlightenment, such as the Rosicrucian Societies, the Martinists and the original Bavarian Illuminati.^[1] The notion of an intellectual elite as a distinguished social stratum can be traced far back in history. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Temple of the Rose Cross, Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens, 1618. ... Martinism is the mystical tradition started in 18th century France by Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin. ...

The Bavarian Illuminati

Adam Weishaupt

This movement was founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt (Upper Bavaria), by Jesuit-taught Adam Weishaupt (d. 1830),^[2] who was the first lay professor of canon law at the University of Ingolstadt.^[3] The movement was made up of freethinkers, as an offshoot of the Enlightenment^[4], which some believe was a conspiracy to infiltrate and overthrow the governments of many European states^[5]. The group's adherents were given the name Illuminati, although they called themselves "Perfectibilists". The group has also been called the Illuminati Order, and the Bavarian Illuminati, and the movement itself has been referred to as Illuminism. In 1777, Karl Theodor, Elector Palatine, succeeded as ruler of Bavaria. He was a proponent of Enlightened Despotism and in 1784, his government banned all secret societies, including the Illuminati. Image File history File links Adam_Weishaupt01. ... Image File history File links Adam_Weishaupt01. ... Adam Weishaupt Johann Adam Weishaupt (6 February 1748 in Ingolstadt - 18 November 1830 in Gotha) was a German who founded the Order of Illuminati. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1776 (disambiguation). ... Ingolstadt (Austro-Bavarian: InglstÃ¥dt) is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, Germany. ... Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria) is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south of Bavaria, around the city Munich. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... Adam Weishaupt Johann Adam Weishaupt (6 February 1748 in Ingolstadt - 18 November 1830 in Gotha) was a German who founded the Order of Illuminati. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Canon law is the term used for... Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that beliefs should be formed on the basis of science and logical principles and not be compromised by authority, tradition, or any other dogma. ... The Age of Enlightenment (French: ; Italian: ; German: ; Spanish: ; Swedish: ; Polish: ; Portuguese: ) was an eighteenth-century movement in Western philosophy. ... Illuminism is a belief system whereby a believer makes a claim that he has been illuminated or experienced enlightenment of a spiritual nature. ... Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Karl Theodor Karl Theodor, Prince-Elector, Count Palatine and Duke of Bavaria (December, 1724 – February 16, 1799) reigned as Prince-Elector and Count Palatine from 1742, as Duke of Jülich and Berg from 1742 and also as Prince-Elector and Duke of Bavaria from 1777, until his death. ... Enlightened absolutism (also known as enlightened despotism) is the absolutist rule of an enlightened monarch . ... 1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... A secret society is a social organization that requires its members to conceal certain activities—such as rites of initiation or club ceremonies—from outsiders. ...

While it was not legally allowed to operate, many influential intellectuals and progressive politicians counted themselves as members, including Ferdinand of Brunswick and the diplomat Xavier von Zwack.^[6] Xavier von Zwack was also the number two man in the operation and was caught with many of the groups documentations when his home was searched. The Illuminati's members pledged obedience to their superiors, and were divided into three main classes: the first, known as the Nursery, encompassed the ascending degrees or offices of Preparation, Novice, Minerval and Illuminatus Minor. The second, known as the Masonry, consists of the ascending degrees of Illuminatus Major and Illuminatus dirigens. It was also sometimes called Scotch Knight. The third, designated the Mysteries, was subdivided into the degrees of the Lesser Mysteries (Presbyter and Regent) and those of the Greater Mysteries (Magus and Rex). Ferdinand (12 January 1721, Brunswick – 3 July 1792), Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, was a Prussian field marshal (1758–1766) known for his participation in the Seven Years War. ...

The order had its branches in most countries of the European continent; it reportedly had around 2,000 members over the span of 10 years.^[7] The scheme had its attraction for literary men, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Johann Gottfried Herder, and even for the reigning dukes of Gotha and Weimar. Internal rupture and panic over succession preceded its downfall, which was effected by The Secular Edict made by the Bavarian government in 1785.^{[citation needed]} Goethe redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Gotha is a Kreis (district) in the middle of Thuringia, Germany. ... For other uses, see Weimar (disambiguation). ... 1785 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Modern Illuminati

Main article: New World Order (conspiracy theory)

Conspiracy theorists such as David Icke, Ryan Burke and Morgan Gricar, have argued that the Bavarian Illuminati survived, possibly to this day. Many of these theories propose that world events are being controlled and manipulated by a secret society calling itself the Illuminati.^[8] However, very little reliable evidence can be found to support that Weishaupt's group survived into the 19th century. Several groups have used the name Illuminati since to found their own rites, claiming to be the Illuminati, including the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) founded by Theodor Reuss and Aleister Crowley (England),^[9] Grand Lodge Rockefeller founded by David Goldman (USA), Orden Illuminati founded by Gabriel López de Rojas (Spain), The Illuminati Order^[10] and others. David Icke David Vaughan Icke (pronounced IKE //) (born April 29, 1952 in Leicester, England) is a British writer and public speaker who has devoted himself since 1990 to researching who and what is really controlling the world. ... For the Europe album, see Secret Society (Europe album). ... Lamen of the Ordo Templi Orientis Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) (Order of the Temple of the East, or the Order of Oriental Templars) is an international fraternal and religious organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century. ... Theodor Reuss (1855 - 1923) Theodor Reuss (1855 - 1923 e. ... Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley, (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947, pronounced ) was a British occultist, writer, mountaineer, philosopher, poet, and mystic. ...

Illuminati in Fiction

Several Illuminati-based conspiracies are central to the plot of a series of novels by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, entitled The Illuminatus! Trilogy. This series takes place in then-present late 1960s America. Robert Anton Wilson later wrote a separate series, The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles. Set in the eighteenth century, it gives a historical perspective on the Illuminati. Robert Joseph Shea (1933 - March 10, 1994) was the co-author (with Robert Anton Wilson) of The Illuminatus! Trilogy. ... Robert Anton Wilson Robert Anton Wilson or RAW (January 18, 1932 – January 11, 2007) was a prolific American novelist, essayist, philosopher, psychologist, futurologist, anarchist, and conspiracy theory researcher. ... “Illuminatus” redirects here. ... The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles is a series of three novels by Robert Anton Wilson written as a follow-up trilogy to his highly successful The Illuminatus! Trilogy. ...

The Illuminati is central to the plot of Dan Brown's novel Angels & Demons, in which the Illuminati brotherhood appears to resurface stronger than ever after surviving for years underground. Dan Brown (born June 22, 1964) is an American author of thriller fiction, best known for the 2003 bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code. ... Wikibooks has a book on the topic of Angels and Demons FUCK is a bestselling mystery novel by Dan Brown. ...

The Illuminati have featured in the plots of many comic book series. In Marvel comics a faction of the most influential heroes of the Marvel Universe formed a group called the Illuminati.^[11] In the DC universe, Vandal Savage is known to have served as the leader of Illuminati. This article is about the shared universe setting used by many Marvel Comics titles. ... The Illuminati are a fictional group of superheroes who joined forces and secretly work behind the scenes in the Marvel Universe. ... Vandal Savage is a fictional character and supervillain in the DC Comics universe. ...

In the Disney animated television show Gargoyles, the Illuminati have existed for over 1,000 years, with a heavy hand in the world of organized crime. To hint at the scope of their power and influence, the character David Xanatos is referred to as a "lower echelon member." Disney may refer to: The Walt Disney Company and its divisions, including Walt Disney Pictures. ... Gargoyles is an American fantasy superhero animated series created by Greg Weisman. ... David Xanatos David Xanatos is one of the primary antagonists of the animated series Gargoyles. ...

In the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie, a film adaptation of the popular video game series by the same name, Lara discovers that her father Lord Croft was an Illuminatus. She has to mend a split "Triangle of Light", hunted down by the Illuminati, to save the people she loves. Categories: Movie stubs | Action films | Adventure films | 2001 films | Films based on video games ...

In the video game Deus Ex, the Illuminati are represented by a group of wealthy socialites who aspire to take control of the entire world. As your character, JC Denton, you must choose whether or not to side with the Illuminati for ultimate world control. This article is about the video game. ... Spoiler warning: In the video game Deus Ex, The Illuminati are a fictional branch of the original ancient secret organization, The Bavarian Illuminati, founded by Adam Weishaupt in 1792. ... JC Denton (fictionally born 17 March 2029) is the player character and protagonist of the first-person role-playing computer game Deus Ex. ...

In the video game Resident Evil 4, "Los Illuminados" is a group which seeks to control the world. It's leader, Osmund Saddler converted the local population into Ganados and controlled them using the Plaga parasites in their bodies. His plan was to put the parasite into Ashley, the U.S. president's daughter, and send her back to the U.S. to infect the president, allowing Saddler to begin his conquest of the world. Resident Evil 4, known in Japan as biohazard 4 ), is a third-person shooter, published and developed by Capcom. ... Osmund Saddler is a fictional character and the main antagonist in the video game, Resident Evil 4. ... This is a list of creatures (enemy characters) featured in the video game Resident Evil 4. ...

See also

• Illuminati in popular culture
• Illuminati Scare

Main article: Illuminati References to the Illuminati in popular culture include the satirical, humorous, and fictional: // Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson is a three-book science fiction series published in the 1970s, which is regarded as a cult classic particularly in the hacker community. ... The Illuminati Scare refers to the public accusation, made by prominent New England conservatives in the late 1700s, that the Bavarian Illuminati were responsible for domestic opposition to Federalist policies. ...

Notes

Arkon Daraul is the name of the author of A History of Secret Societies (1961), a popular occult/conspiracy work dealing with, among other topics, the Assassins, the Knights Templar, Rosicrucians, Chinese Triads and the Carbonari. ...

References

• 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica: "Illuminati"
• Die Korrespondenz des Illuminatenordens. Bd. 1, 1776–81. Ed. by Reinhard Markner, Monika Neugebauer-Wölk and Hermann Schüttler. - Tübingen, Max Niemeyer, 2005. - ISBN 3-484-10881-9
• Radical Enlightenment: Philosophy and the Making of Modernity 1650–1750. Israel, Jonathan I. (Oxford University Press, USA; New Ed edition, 2002).
• Barkun, Michael (2003). A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America. University of California Press, Berkeley. ISBN 0-520-23805-2. 
• Johnson, George (1983). Architects of Fear: Conspiracy Theories and Paranoia in American Politics. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc.. ISBN 0-87477-275-3. 

Supporters contend that the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica (1910-1911) represents the sum of human knowledge at the beginning of the 20th century; indeed, it was advertised as such. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Illuminati

• Theory of a New Life Form by the Illuminati
• Complete text of 'Proofs of a Conspiracy...' by John Robison (1797) at sacred-texts.com
• Illuminati Conspiracy Part One: A Precise Exegesis on the Available Evidence by Terry Melanson
• The Enlightenment, Freemasonry, and The Illuminati by Conrad Goeringer
• The Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Illuminati
• America's Illuminati Occult Conspiracy A Brave New World Order