The Illuminati is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious, throughout history. The term "Illuminati" is the plural of the Latin word "illuminatus," which means "revealed" or "enlightened". The most well-known and historically significant group referred to as the Illuminati is the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776, in Bavaria, Germany.
The Bavarian Illuminatis stated goals were to oppose superstition, obscurantism, religious influence over public life, and abuses of state power. The society was founded by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of canon law at Ingolstadt and a former Jesuit. Its members initially called themselves "Perfectibilists," and they later adopted the name "Illuminati" from the Latin root "Illuminatus," meaning "enlightened".
After its disbandment in 1785, the Bavarian Illuminati became the subject of various conspiracy theories, which claimed that the group continued to exist and was involved in controlling world affairs, establishing a New World Order, and manipulating events by infiltrating governments and corporations. However, there is no substantiated evidence linking these alleged modern organizations to the original Bavarian Illuminati.
The Illuminati's influence and existence in modern times are the subject of much debate and speculation. Some people believe in the existence of a secretive and powerful Illuminati, while others consider it a myth or a symbol of conspiracy theories. The fascination with the Illuminati and its alleged influence on world events can be attributed to the group's historical significance, its association with the Enlightenment, and its portrayal in popular culture.
