Creator Bio
Benjamin Nehemiah ben Elnatan
16th Century
The only information we have regarding Benjamin Nehemiah ben Elnatan is derived from what he wrote about himself in his Chronicle. He lived in the town of Civitanova and spent some of the year 1557 in nearby Ancona. He was arrested and brought to court in Rome in 1559 and released after the death of Paul IV in the same year. Divre ha-yamim shel ha-apifyor Paulo revi‘i (The History of Pope Paul IV) is dedicated to describing the oppression and acts against Jews in the Papal State under the rule of Pope Paul IV (1555–1559). The author offers a comprehensive and vivid description of the period and circumstances, including the author’s firsthand experience.
Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator
Primary Source
Divre ha-yamim shel ha-apifyor Paulo revi‘i (The History of Pope Paul IV)
On the 4th of Sivan 5315 [June 3, 1555], after the death of Pope Marcellus [of] La Marche, whose name will be well remembered, though he reigned only twenty-three days, he gave great redemption to…