Moses ben Isaac (1388-1460)

Italian Jewish doctor, philosopher, and poet. Born in Rieti, central Italy, he became the Rabbi of Rome and was also physician to Pope Pius II. Strongly influenced by the poetry of Dante Alighieri, he wrote the long poem Mikdash Me'at, a reflection on science that introduced terza rima verse form into Hebrew. He also wrote philosophical works and a history of the Jews.