Naples Medical School has a long and distinguished history. When the Roman Empire fell into shambles the healthcare system then in place, that too in shambles, was taken over by the church. The system was expanded by the Diaconie cenobitiche into a network of specialized medical centers throughout the territory.

In Naples one of the first ecclesiastic hospitals was St Aniello at Caponapoli, founded in the second half of the 6^th century. As time went on, however, this ecclesiastic might was challenged by lay power, until the Rheims Council prohibited Prelates and Archdeacons from practicing medicine. Medical instruction and practice then fell into laymen’s hands. Salerno (10^th – 12^th centuries ) was one of the lay centers that flourished. Neapolitan medicine returned to blossom during the 12^th century, under Norman rule.

Ruggero II declared Naples as the capital of his Kingdom and set as one of his goals the revamping of the old Medical School. He intended to remove it once and for all from the Church’s clutches and turn it into "The Neapolitan Medical Study". He also created "Studies" for other disciplines such as Law and Art. The job was backed by legislation. In fact, in 1140, Ruggero passed the De probabili experimentia medicorum law (probable medical experiments) which regulated teaching activity and medical practice by requiring that it be within the "medical Study" of Naples in the care of "Magistri" (instructors) who had to pass an examination in his presence in order to get a Chair. With these laws Ruggero II founded the first State Sponsored Medical School in the world together with other "Studies" with numerous other disciplines (Law, Art, Philosophy).

There seems to be some controversy about whether it was King Federic II who founded the first medical school. His great merit was that he united the university or let us say, placed the already existing "Studies" under one roof with his edict on June 5^th in the year 1224. It then became one didactic – scientific system very much as we know it today.

One can only speculate about why he chose Naples out of all the other cities in his vast kingdom. Certainly the Greek and Roman culture and social setting were factors that influenced his decision. Federic II was of the opinion that culture ought to be accessible to everyone, and anyone seeking University instruction should not have to travel great distances to receive it.

Of course, having the king as its patron created great advantages to both students and Professors. It flourished when the king could dedicate his time and finances. On the other hand, when political events were unfavorable, the university paid the consequences.

The university has a deep cultural heritage. It was active during the scientific renaissance that spread across Europe in the middle ages and has continued to advance scientific thought and progress.

Be that as it may, this medical school was turned over to laymen in 1134 by the Norman King Ruggero II, so it is indeed the oldest state supported medical school in the world that gathers together preexisting medical traditions and influence from the 6^th century. The foundation was laid down by Roman and Greek medical schools, whereas The Salerno Medical School (10^th – 12^th centuries ) was geared to Arab medical influences and methods.

Several authors from that time period reported these events, such as Pier from Vigna and Pietro from Eboli, as well as a number of historians and schoolars (Origlia, Ajello, Mastrorilli, Abulafia, Haskins, Giannone and others). All were in agreement that Frederic II based his university system on what was already in place by the Normans , that is to say, Ruggero II.

In conclusion, it is striking to think that the medical school still operates on the hill of St. Aniello a Caponapoli where it has stood for one thousand three hundred years.