Abraham Portaleone

Abraham ben David Porta Leone (* 1542, † July 29, 1612 in Mantua ), was an Italian- Jewish physician and writer.

Life

Abraham Porta Leone came from a major Jewish family from Mantua, which already presented a number of doctors. He studied medicine at the University of Pavia and graduated successfully with a doctorate. In 1563 he received the license. Ten years later, he was physician in the service of the Dukes of Mantua. Pope Gregory XIV confirmed a decree of Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga and granted Porta Leone a dispensation so that he could treat Christian patients.

In addition to two medical treatises in Latin, he wrote the Schilte ha - Gibborim (Eng. The heroes shields ), an encyclopedic work in the Hebrew language, which is ostensibly a description of Solomon's Temple, is, however, all sorts of mundane considerations on medicine, alchemy, art of war woven among others offers.

Since the year 1605 suffered Porta Leone in a hemiplegia, which he saw as a punishment from God, and he wanted to turn to a more pious life. At the age of about 70 years Porta Leone died on July 29, 1612 in Mantua.

Works

• Gianfranco Miletto (ed.): The heroes shields of Abraham ben David Porta Leone (Judaism and the environment; 74). Lang, Frankfurt / M. 2003, ISBN 3-631-38890- X.