Mezzo Morto
Encyclopedia
Hassan Mezzomorto or Hajji Husain Mezzomorto was an Ottoman
corsair
, bey
, and finally Kapudan Pasha (grand admiral) of the Ottoman Navy
. His epithet mezzomorto is the Italian for "half-dead", acquired during a fight when he was gravely injured.
Possibly Turkish or converted Christian from Mallorca
, Hassan was mentioned as a captain in 1674. He rose to prominence during the French
attacks on Algiers in the early 1680s. He was present for Abraham Duquesne
's 1682 bombardment and commanded a fleet of corsair
s the next year. The bey of Algiers Baba Hassan offered him as a hostage to the French, but Hassan Mezzomorto killed Baba Hassan and named himself as his replacement. During the 1684 bombardment, he signed a "100 year" treaty with Abraham Duquesne
and was possibly confirmed in his post as beylerbey
.
He took part in the Morean War
between the Turks and Venetians
at the head of the Algerian contingent, with some success c. 1688.
He commanded the fleet of the Danube in 1690 (seeing the action on 26 March) and 1691.
Distinguishing himself during the reconquest of Chios in early 1695, he was promoted to Kapudan Pasha, acquiring lordship over the Province of the Islands. He commanded at the Battle of Andros in 1696 and with the support of the sultan Mustafa II
began a reform of the navy. His reforms were compiled into a book, the Kannunname, published shortly before his death in 1701.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
corsair
Corsair
Corsairs were privateers, authorized to conduct raids on shipping of a nation at war with France, on behalf of the French Crown. Seized vessels and cargo were sold at auction, with the corsair captain entitled to a portion of the proceeds...
, bey
Bey
Bey is a title for chieftain, traditionally applied to the leaders of small tribal groups. Accoding to some sources, the word "Bey" is of Turkish language In historical accounts, many Turkish, other Turkic and Persian leaders are titled Bey, Beg, Bek, Bay, Baig or Beigh. They are all the same word...
, and finally Kapudan Pasha (grand admiral) of the Ottoman Navy
Ottoman Navy
The Ottoman Navy was established in the early 14th century. During its long existence it was involved in many conflicts; refer to list of Ottoman sieges and landings and list of Admirals in the Ottoman Empire for a brief chronology.- Pre-Ottoman:...
. His epithet mezzomorto is the Italian for "half-dead", acquired during a fight when he was gravely injured.
Biography
Mallorca
Majorca or Mallorca is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the Balearic Islands.The capital of the island, Palma, is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. The Cabrera Archipelago is administratively grouped with Majorca...
, Hassan was mentioned as a captain in 1674. He rose to prominence during the French
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
attacks on Algiers in the early 1680s. He was present for Abraham Duquesne
Abraham Duquesne
Other topics that could fall under Duquesne can be found at Marquis Duquesne Abraham Duquesne, marquis du Bouchet was a French naval officer, who also saw service as an admiral in the Royal Swedish Navy. He was born in Dieppe, a seaport, in 1610, and was a Huguenot...
's 1682 bombardment and commanded a fleet of corsair
Corsair
Corsairs were privateers, authorized to conduct raids on shipping of a nation at war with France, on behalf of the French Crown. Seized vessels and cargo were sold at auction, with the corsair captain entitled to a portion of the proceeds...
s the next year. The bey of Algiers Baba Hassan offered him as a hostage to the French, but Hassan Mezzomorto killed Baba Hassan and named himself as his replacement. During the 1684 bombardment, he signed a "100 year" treaty with Abraham Duquesne
Abraham Duquesne
Other topics that could fall under Duquesne can be found at Marquis Duquesne Abraham Duquesne, marquis du Bouchet was a French naval officer, who also saw service as an admiral in the Royal Swedish Navy. He was born in Dieppe, a seaport, in 1610, and was a Huguenot...
and was possibly confirmed in his post as beylerbey
Beylerbey
Beylerbey is the Ottoman and Safavid title used for the highest rank in the hierarchy of provincial administrators It is in western terms a Governor-general, with authority...
.
He took part in the Morean War
Morean War
The Morean War is the better known name for the Sixth Ottoman–Venetian War. The war was fought between 1684–1699, as part of the wider conflict known as the "Great Turkish War", between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire...
between the Turks and Venetians
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
at the head of the Algerian contingent, with some success c. 1688.
He commanded the fleet of the Danube in 1690 (seeing the action on 26 March) and 1691.
Distinguishing himself during the reconquest of Chios in early 1695, he was promoted to Kapudan Pasha, acquiring lordship over the Province of the Islands. He commanded at the Battle of Andros in 1696 and with the support of the sultan Mustafa II
Mustafa II
Mustafa II Ghazi was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1695 to 1703.-Life:...
began a reform of the navy. His reforms were compiled into a book, the Kannunname, published shortly before his death in 1701.