The Illuminati is a secret society that existed in Bavaria, Germany, between 1776 and 1785. The group was founded by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of canon law, and was inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment. The Illuminati sought to promote education, reason, philanthropy, and to oppose superstition and religious influence. However, the Illuminati is also the name of a fictional society that has fueled conspiracy theories for decades. These theories claim that the Illuminati is a secret global organization that controls the world from the shadows and is behind some of the largest murders and revolutions in history.