The History of Sabatai Sevi, the Suppos'd Messiah of the Jews

Name: The History of Sabatai Sevi, the Suppos'd Messiah of the Jews
Author: John Evelyn

By John Evelyn

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History - Other History - Religious

About This Book

The work recounts the rise, popular acclaim, and ultimate downfall of a Jewish messianic figure whose movement provoked intense devotional practices and social disruption. Relying largely on a Levantine correspondent's report, it combines eyewitness detail with polemical judgment and places the episode amid contemporary Protestant millenarian expectations and English commercial concerns. The narrative details followers' rituals and the practical consequences for trade and communal life, considers rival interpretations of the leader's motives and character, and notes the movement's lingering sectarian legacies in Ottoman and European Jewish communities.

About the Author

John Evelyn

John Evelyn was a 17th-century English writer, gardener, and diarist, known for his detailed observations of life in Restoration England. His most notable work, "The Diary of John Evelyn," provides a rich account of his experiences, thoughts, and the events of his time, offering insights into the social and political landscape of the era. Evelyn was also an advocate for environmental conservation, as seen in his influential work "Sylva," which discusses the importance of trees and forestry. Additionally, he contributed to political literature with works such as "An Apologie for the Royal Party" and explored cultural topics in "The History of Sabatai Sevi, the Suppos'd Messiah of the Jews." His writings reflect a deep engagement with the natural world and the complexities of his society.