1-152-314 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Shabbetai Zevi (1626-1676), Turkish-born Jew who claimed to be the Messiah, c1665. He is shown here blessing a Jewish congregation at Smyrna c1665. After proclaiming in 1665 that he was the Messiah, Shabbetai Zevi built up a large following amongst Jews. The following year he was imprisoned by the Ottoman Sultan, who offered him the choice of converting to Islam or execution. Shabbetai Zevi chose to convert, and died in 1676, as an apparently loyal Muslim. From The Counterfeit Messiah or False Christ of the Jews.