Born into a wealthy family of bankers in
Spoleto,
Umbria, his father lost his fortune during the
Italian Wars. His family claimed descent from
King David. According to ancient Italian-Jewish tradition, his aristocratic family, called "
Min HaTapuchim", or of the apples (
pomis or
pomeria), was relocated from
Jerusalem to
Rome by
Titus. He studied at the
University of Perugia and graduated with his
medical degree in 1551, before settling in
Magliano Sabino, but was compelled to migrate from town to town for a lengthy period due to the Church's anti-Jewish legislation.
Pope Paul IV's
bull prevented Jewish physicians from treating Christians. However,
Pope Pius IV granted Pomis the right to treat Christian patients in 1565, but died five days later, and his successor
Pope Pius V rescinded the grant. He is notable for his call for equality and religious liberty for Jewish people. His
Zemah David was dedicated to
Pope Sextus V, who had reversed the earlier anti-Jewish physicians bull. He cites
David Kimhi's
Shorashim,
Nathan ben Yehiel's
Arukh, and
Elia Levita's
Tishbi. His
Medico Hebræo earned praise from
Aldus Manutius the Younger. ==Further reading==