Coat of arms of the University of Bologna, the oldest in Italy
In ancient times, the Latin term " universitas "Meant an association of people united by the same activity or the same interest, with the very specific purpose of protecting its members.
Universitas and corporation therefore, were in practice the same thing.
The university as we understand it today was therefore born with the intention of bringing together all those interested in culture and knowledge.
In Italy the primacy of oldest University it is up to that of Bologna, whose foundation dates back to the middle Middle Ages, to be precise at 1088