Everything Everywhere Daily The Real Illuminati
Dec 6, 2020
Discover the intriguing origins of the Illuminati, established in 1776 by a Bavarian professor promoting Enlightenment ideals. Dive into the contrast between historical truths and modern myths, shedding light on how this secret society has morphed into a symbol of conspiracy theories. Learn about their rise and fall, and how they influenced major events like the French Revolution. Also, explore how popular culture has adopted and distorted their legacy, creating a paradox of a powerful yet fragmented organization.
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Founding Of The Original Order
- Adam Weishaupt founded a secret society in Bavaria in 1776 as a response to conservative, clerical opposition at his university.
- He named members with classical pseudonyms and used Minerva's owl as the group's symbol.
Enlightenment Roots Shaped The Order
- Weishaupt embodied Enlightenment values: anti-monarchy, anti-church, and pro-science in deeply Catholic Bavaria.
- Those ideals made his group attractive to freethinkers but hostile to the ruling order.
Rapid Growth And Complex Structure
- The group rapidly expanded and formalized into multiple initiation degrees and classes, growing to thousands by the mid-1780s.
- Prominent members included noblemen, professionals, and even the writer Goethe.
