The Illuminati have been the focus of conspiracy theorists for many years and have been called the puppet masters who secretly pull the strings of world events from elections to revolutions, and from economic monopolies to stocks market crashes. So, what is “The Illuminati” really? It is considered a secret society that existed even before the Babylonian period, as Cathy Burns states: "The signs, symbols and inscriptions of the Illuminati come to us from long and drifting centuries and will be found in the ancient Sumerian clay tablet libraries of le cities of Lir, Lagash and others of the first truly urban civilization This was about 600 years before Egypt was civilized..." (40). However, it was formally founded in 1775 under the name “Bavarian Illuminati” in Germany, by Adam Weishaupt to advocate for women's education and gender equality and to oppose religious influence on public life. Since the ideas of this society were considered a threat to the government, in 1786 the Elector of Bavaria abolished it. It was revived again under another name and form throughout Europe only to be disbanded again. Even though it was disbanded twice, this group is believed to have prevailed in the shadows and later formed a secret society with ulterior motives and exists to this day. These motives are believed to be devil worship, the practice of strange rituals, witchcraft and alchemy, and the attempt to form a "New World Order" in which it will be able to control all aspects of industry, corporations, healthcare, real estate, and finances. Although a company with such far-fetched motives can be easily dismissed as imaginative rumors, but due to strange hand gestures and symbols, the numerous conspiracies... middle of paper... is normal, everyday daily routines. The Illuminati are supposed to have all the information and the general public will never stop trying to get it. Works Cited Cathy Burns, “Hidden Secrets of the Easter Star,” Mt. Carmel, PA: Sharing, 1994, Print” “Texe Mars, “Codex Magica,” River crest Publications, 2005, Print”“Texe Mars, “Codex Magica” ”, River crest Publications, 2005, Print”“Texe Mars, “Codex Magica”, River crest Publications, 2005, Print”“Who has killed JFK,” theweek.co.uk, 2005.”“Roosevelt Theodore, “The Autobiography of Theodore Roosevelt,” NEW YORK: MACMILLAN,1993.”“Washington George, “George Washington Papers,” The Congress Library,1991.” “ Christopher Mark, “Grand Deception: The Theft of America and the World,” South East Christian Witness, Issue #4, South Australia 5291, 2003.” "Says Mark, The Illuminati: Facts and Fiction, San Diego CA, 2009.”