School of Salerno

It was said that the school was founded by four masters: Elinus the Jew, Pontus the Greek, Adale the Arabian and Salermus the Latin. It is not impossible that the School of Salerno was founded about the time of the fall of Roman Empire. Based on historical records it is clear that the school was already in existence about the middle of the 9th century.

In the course of the 12th and 13th centuries the reputation of the school of Salerno, was regarded as the center of medical learning, spread throughout the civilized world.

In early 12th century medical practice was brought under official jurisdiction by King Roger II of Sicily and later in by Emperor Frederick II.

It was decided that no one could practice medicine until and unless he had been examined and approved by the masters of Salerno.

No one could practice medicine without the approval of the masters and after having completed the five year course of study, the physician still had for at least one year to practice under the supervision of an experienced physician. 

This legislation was made to avoid danger from the inexperience do the physician.

The School of Salerno was important on the transmission of Greek and Muslim science to Europe. All the medical knowledge possessed by the teachers at Salerno, was derived from the schools of the Saracens in Spain and Africa and from the medical works of the Arabs.
School of Salerno