The University of Bologna, in northern Italy, is generally regarded as the oldest university in the Western world still in operation. Its beginnings are traditionally dated to 1088, although it grew gradually from a community of students and teachers who gathered in the city to study Roman law and the law of the Church. It was organised as a guild of students, who hired their teachers, rather than being founded by a bishop or ruler. Scholars such as Irnerius helped revive the study of Roman law there, and the university later taught medicine, philosophy and the arts. Its students and teachers were granted privileges by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in the twelfth century.
Before and after
- from 1081 to 1185Komnenos
- 1086William the Conqueror's survey: the Domesday Book
- 9 September 1087Death of William the Conqueror
- 1088Construction of Jameh Mosque of Isfahan
- 1088Founding of University of Bologna
- 1092Su Song completes his astronomical clock tower
- 1093Origins of Pembroke Castle
- 1093Construction of Zagreb Cathedral
- 1093Construction of Durham Cathedral
More in Society, economy & sport
- 20 April 571 CEBirth of Muhammad
- c. 970 CEFounding of Al-Azhar University
- from c. 1120s to 1390sRise of Guelphs and Ghibellines
- from 1150 to 1971Founding of University of Paris
- 12 March 1365Founding of University of Vienna
- 1477Founding of University of Tübingen
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 11th century.