"Illuminata" redirects here. For the 1998 John Turturro film, see Illuminata (film). John Michael Turturro (born February 28, 1957) is an American Actor noted for his performances in To Live and Die in L Illuminata is a 1998 Romantic comedy film directed by John Turturro and written by Brandon Cole ( 13 Moons) and John Turturro based For other uses, see Illuminati (disambiguation).

Illuminati (plural of Latin illuminatus, "enlightened") is a name that refers to several groups, both real and fictitious. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Historically, it refers specifically to the (Bavarian) Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded in the late eighteenth century. The Age of Enlightenment or The Enlightenment is a term used to describe a phase in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system 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. The phrase power behind the throne refers to a person or group that informally exercises the real power of an office For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A corporation is a separate legal entity usually used to conduct business Bavaria ( German:, with an area of 70553 Km² (27241 square miles and almost 12 In this context, Illuminati is often used in reference to a New World Order (NWO). New World Order refers to a Conspiracy in which a powerful and secretive group is plotting to eventually rule the world via an autonomous World Many conspiracy theorists believe the Illuminati are the masterminds behind events that will lead to the establishment of such a New World Order. A conspiracy theory attributes the ultimate cause of an event or chain of events (usually Political, Social or Historical events or the concealment Confusing the issue further is the fact that there are also several modern fraternal groups which include the word "Illuminati" in their names.

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. For the coffee shop company often called Intelligentsia for short see Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea. 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. Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity The term Rosicrucian (symbol the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on Martinism is a form of mystical or Esoteric Christianity, which envisions the figure of Christ as "The Repairer" who enables individuals ^[1]

Contents 1 The Bavarian Illuminati 2 Modern Illuminati 3 Illuminati in fiction 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links

The Bavarian Illuminati

This movement was founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt (Upper Bavaria), by Jesuit-taught Adam Weishaupt (d. Johann Adam Weishaupt ( February 6, 1748 in Ingolstadt – November 18, 1830 in Gotha) was a German philosopher Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Ingolstadt (ˈɪŋgɔlˌʃtat Austro-Bavarian: Inglstådt) is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, Germany Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the south of Bavaria around the city of Munich The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu, SJ and SI or SJ, SI) is a Catholic religious order Johann Adam Weishaupt ( February 6, 1748 in Ingolstadt – November 18, 1830 in Gotha) was a German philosopher 1830),^[2] who was the first lay professor of canon law at the University of Ingolstadt. For the game see 1830 (board game. Year 1830 ( MDCCCXXX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display Canon law is internal ecclesiastical law governing the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Anglican Communion of churches ^[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]. Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that Beliefs should be formed on the basis of Science and Logic and should not be influenced The Age of Enlightenment or The Enlightenment is a term used to describe a phase in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century 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 (after illuminism). Illuminism is a belief system whereby a believer makes a claim that he has been illuminated or experienced enlightenment of a spiritual nature In 1777, Karl Theodor, Elector Palatine, succeeded as ruler of Bavaria. Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Karl Theodor Prince-Elector Count Palatine and Duke of Bavaria (December 1724 &ndash February 16, 1799) reigned as Prince-Elector and Count He was a proponent of Enlightened Despotism and in 1784, his government banned all secret societies, including the Illuminati. Year 1784 ( MDCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations

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. Ferdinand ( 12 January 1721, Brunswick – 3 July 1792) Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, was a Prussian ^[6] Xavier von Zwack was also the number two man in the operation and was caught with much of the group's documentation when his home was searched. The Illuminati's members pledged obedience to their superiors, and were divided into three main classes, each with several degrees:

MYSTERIES

Greater Mysteries

• Rex ("king")
• Magus ("sorceror")

Lesser Mysteries

• Regent ("ruler")
• Presbyter ("priest")

MASONRY

• Illuminatus dirigens / Scotch Knight ("director illuminated")
• Illuminatus major ("more illuminated")

NURSERY

• Illuminatus minor ("less illuminated")
• Minerval ("skilled")
• Novice
• Preparation

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. ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfgaŋ fɔn ˈgøːtə (in English generally ˈgɝːtə 28 August 1749 22 March 1832 was a German writer Johann Gottfried von Herder ( August 25, 1744 December 18, 1803) was a German philosopher, Poet, and Literary Gotha is a Kreis ( District) in the middle of Thuringia, Germany. Weimar (ˈvaɪmaʁ is a City in Germany. It is located in the Bundesland of Thuringia (Thüringen north of the Thüringer Wald, Internal rupture and panic over succession preceded its downfall, which was effected by The Secular Edict made by the Bavarian government in 1785. Year 1785 ( MDCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

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. New World Order refers to a Conspiracy in which a powerful and secretive group is plotting to eventually rule the world via an autonomous World David Vaughan Icke (pronounced /aɪk/ born 29 April 1952 is a British writer and public speaker who has devoted himself since 1990 to researching "who and what is really controlling Many of these theories propose that world events are being controlled and manipulated by a secret society calling itself the Illuminati. Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations ^[8] However, no reliable evidence can be found to support that Weishaupt's group survived into the 19th century.

In addition to the conspiracy theories, several modern groups have used the name Illuminati 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. Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO ( Order of the Temple of the East, or the Order of Oriental Templars) is an international fraternal and Religious Theodor Reuss ( June 28, 1855 - October 28, 1923) was an Anglo-German tantric Occultist Anarchist, police spy Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer

Illuminati in fiction

The Illuminati are central to the plots of many novels. 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. Robert Joseph Shea ( February 14, 1933 - March 10, 1994) was a magazine editor columnist and novelist Robert Anton Wilson or RAW (born Robert Edward Wilson, January 18, 1932 &ndash January 11, 2007) was an American The Illuminatus! Trilogy is a series of three novels written by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson purportedly between 1969 and 1971 This series takes place in then-present late 1960s America. Robert Anton Wilson later wrote a separate series, The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles. The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles is a series of three Novels by Robert Anton Wilson written as a follow-up trilogy to his highly successful Set in the eighteenth century, it gives a historical perspective on the Illuminati. They are also 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 Angels & Demons is a Bestselling mystery Novel by Dan Brown. Published in 2000 it introduces the character Robert Langdon The book 'The Fallen Angels' by Susannah Kells & Bernard Cornwell features a fictional secret group of leaders of the Bavarian Illuminati, called 'the fallen angels'. Bernard Cornwell OBE (born February 23, 1944) is a prolific and popular English Historical novelist He is best known for his

The Illuminati have also 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. The Marvel Universe is the fictional Shared universe where most of the comic stories published by Marvel Comics take place The Illuminati is a fictional group of Superheroes who joined forces and secretly work behind the scenes in the Marvel Universe. ^[11] In the DC universe, Vandal Savage is known to have served as the leader of Illuminati. Vandal Savage is a Fictional character, a Supervillain published by DC Comics.

The Illuminati have also appeared in film and on TV. They are central to the plot of the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie, a film adaptation of the popular video game series by the same name. Lara Croft Tomb Raider is a film adaptation of the Tomb Raider video game series 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. Gargoyles is an American Animated television series created by Greg Weisman. To hint at the scope of their power and influence, the character David Xanatos is referred to as a "lower echelon member. David Xanatos is one of the primary characters of the animated series Gargoyles. "

The Illuminati (or illuminati-type groups) also figure prominently in plot lines of many video games, such as Deus Ex, its sequel Deus Ex: Invisible War, and Resident Evil 4. Deus Ex (abbreviated DX and pronounced as ˌdeɪəsˈɛks day-uss ex) is a Cyberpunk -themed Action role-playing game developed Deus Ex Invisible War is a first-person Computer and video game developed by Ion Storm Inc Resident Evil 4, known in Japan as, is a Third-person shooter Video game and the sixth installment in the Resident Evil

The Illuminati are described in the fictional encyclopedia "Sub Rosa", which is a supplement to the Swedish roleplaying game "Götterdämmerung". The description includes various elements of different Illuminati descriptions, but includes mostly fiction. ^[12]

See also

• Illuminati in popular culture
• Illuminati Scare

Notes

References

• 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica: "Illuminati"
• Die Korrespondenz des Illuminatenordens. The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910–1911 is a 29-volume reference work that marked the beginning of the Encyclopædia Britannica 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.  

External links

• 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

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