The Post-Ducal ‘Dukes of Naxos’ of the ‘per Dignità First Duchy of Christendom’: A Re-Examination and Assessment

ABSTRACT

This article re-examines the abolition of the Duchy of the Archipelago, created in 1204 after the occupation of Constantinople by the crusaders and the replacement of the Byzantine Empire by a ‘Latin’ one. The duchy which survived the final fall of Byzantium to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, came itself to an end with the death of Joseph Nasi in 1579 and its transformation into an Ottoman sancak. Nevertheless, Byzantine and medieval ‘Frankish’ institutions and titles once more survived. This article studies the legal, institutional and practical implications of this process, thereby paying due attention to elements of continuity from the feudal ducal regime and Byzantium itself, such as the use of the term ducatus and in some cases of dux of Naxos and its significance. The continuation of feudal ‘Frankish’ institutions and traditions has also been analyzed as well as its gradual replacement with the Ottoman system. Special attention is also given to the rights of the Orthodox Church and to the definition of technical terms.

Keywords:

• Duchy of Naxos
• Archipelago
• Frankokratia
• Ottoman Empire
• Post-Byzantine history of Greek Islands