Joseph Nasi

Joseph Nasi (1524, Portugal – 1579, Constantinople), known in Portuguese as João Miques, was a Portuguese Sephardi diplomat and administrator, member of the House of Mendes/Benveniste, nephew of Dona Gracia Mendes Nasi, and an influential figure in the Ottoman Empire during the rules of both Sultan Suleiman I and his son Selim II. He was a great benefactor of the Jewish people.^[1]

A court Jew,^[2] he was appointed lord of Tiberias,^[3] with the expressed aim of resettling Jews in Palestine and encouraging industry there; the attempt failed, and, later, he was appointed Duke of Naxos.^[4] Nasi also supported a war with the Republic of Venice, at the end of which Venice lost the island of Cyprus to the Ottomans.^[5] After the death of Selim, he lost influence in the Ottoman Court, but was allowed to keep his titles and pension for the remainder of his life.

^ Yosef Eisen (2004). Miraculous journey: a complete history of the Jewish people from creation to the present.
^ Hillgarth, p.171
^ Pasachoff & Littman, p.163
^ Freely, p.168
^ "Joseph Nasi (c. 1524 - 1579)". Jewish Virtual Library.

[1] Yosef Eisen (2004). Miraculous journey: a complete history of the Jewish people from creation to the present.

[Hillgarth,_p.171-2] Hillgarth, p.171

[Pasachoff_&_Littman,_p.163-3] Pasachoff & Littman, p.163

[Freely,_p.168-4] Freely, p.168

[5] "Joseph Nasi (c. 1524 - 1579)". Jewish Virtual Library.

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