Forced Convert to Christianity Covertly Defended Judaism

In the 10th century c.e., the sole medical school in Europe was in Salerno, Italy. According to legend, it was founded by the Jew Helinus, the Greek Pontus, the Arab Adela, and the Latin Salernus. Its library had a unique collection of Greek and Arabic texts. In a world riven by dogma, medicine offered a humane universality beyond the scope of revealed religion. Since medieval doctoring was largely a matter of herbal remedies, combined with a soothing or impressive bedside manner, it rarely did much harm. It also promised, if it never guaranteed, personal eminence for successful practitioners, Jews not least among them. This was especially the case on the Iberian Peninsula.