Rectors, nations, and student graffiti in the Universities of Bologna and Salamanca during the 16th century. Origins and influences of a common symbolic culture

Abstract

In university cities such as Bologna and Salamanca, a symbolic culture linked to the student world emerged, trascending the limits of the academic realm and colonizing urban areas not directly associated with teaching. This research focuses on some of these manifestations that overcame political borders, giving rise to exchanges and similar cultural practices in distant spaces. The starting point is a comparative framework between both universities, which shared, since the Middle Ages, a model in which students held great power and autonomy both inside and outside the Studium. Grouped into nations (nationes), they annually elected the rectors, who possessed important attributes within the university sphere. The evolution of this model is addressed in the second part, focusing on the transformations that took place at the Universities of Bologna and Salamanca during the 16th century. Particular attention will be paid to the Spanish influence of the College of San Clemente on the rectorate of the Bolognese Studium, participating in a student idiosyncrasy centred on the natio that was reflected in non-academic spaces through its own symbolism. Some of these manifestations are presented in the final part of the article: these are the acclamatory graffiti called «viva» in the Italian case, which were inscribed in public and private places to honour specific individuals as well as student nations. An analysis will be carried out based on their identification, dating, and influences with other similar symbols existing in the Salamanca area, the «vítor», seeking to establish the origin of a common practice that extended to other environments and territories.