Zvi Ben-Dor Benite will speak about the story of David Reubeni. R
A reservation is required: rsvp@primolevicenter.org
Arriving in Rome in 1523, a Yemeni Jew proclaimed himself the “Prince of the Lost Tribes” and leader of their 300,000-strong army. Pope Clement VII met with the enigmatic David Ha-Reuveni, who proposed an alliance against the Muslim Turks in exchange for the Holy Land, financial support, and a navy for the Jewish people. Why did so many Italians believe him, what transpired in Italy, and how did the events conclude?
Zvi Ben-Dor Benite teaches Chinese and World History at NYU.
Image: Pope Clement VII and Emperor Charles V, Jacopo Ligozzi, circa 1580, Museo degli affreschi Giovanni Battista Cavalcaselle, Verona