History of the Illuminati
A concise introduction to the historical Bavarian Illuminati and the way the term developed in later culture.
The Bavarian Illuminati
The historical Illuminati most commonly refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt. The group developed during a period of intense European debate about reason, authority, education and religion.
Suppression and dissolution
Bavarian authorities issued measures against secret societies during the 1780s, and the historical order was suppressed. Much of what later became popularly associated with the “Illuminati” developed through later political writing, conspiracy literature and popular culture rather than the documented activities of the eighteenth-century group.
The Illuminati in modern culture
Today, the term “Illuminati” can refer to the historical Bavarian organization, modern organizations using the name, or a broad collection of cultural stories and symbols. These meanings should be distinguished when researching the subject.
Supreme Illuminati today
Supreme Illuminati presents its own membership, principles and community through this website. Visitors interested in joining can review the current membership process separately from historical information.