Joseph Nasi
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Joseph Nasi (1524 – 1579), known in Portuguese as João Miques, was a Portuguese Sephardi diplomat and administrator, member of the House of Mendes and House of Benveniste, nephew of Doña 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.
Joseph Nasi | |
|---|---|
| יוֹסֵף נָשִׂיא | |
| Born | 1524 |
| Died | 1579 (aged 54–55) |
| Resting place | Unknown |
| Other names | João Miques |
| Occupation(s) | Ottoman statesman and diplomat |
| Known for | Being an influential figure in Ottoman Empire politics |
| Title | Lord of Tiberias (1561 - 1579); Duke of Naxos (1566 - 1579) |
| Spouse | (Reyna) Ana Nasi (m. ? - 1579) |
| Relatives | Gracia Mendes Nasi (aunt); (Reyna) Ana Nasi (cousin) |
A court Jew, he was appointed lord of Tiberias, with the expressed aim of resettling Jews in Palestine and encouraging industry there; the attempt failed, and, later, he was appointed Duke of Naxos. Nasi also supported a war with the Republic of Venice, at the end of which Venice lost the island of Cyprus to the Ottomans. 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.