PATTERNS
Jacques Verger
No one today would dispute the fact that universities, in sense which term is now generally understood, were a creation of Middle Ages, appearing for first time between twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It no doubt true other civilizations, prior to, or wholly alien medieval West, such as Roman Empire, Byzantium, Islam, China, familiar with forms higher education number historians, sake convenience, have sometimes described universities. Yet closer look makes it plain institutional reality was altogether different and, matter what has been said on subject, there real link justify us associating them universities West. Until definite proof to contrary, these latter must be regarded sole source model gradually spread through whole Europe then world. We are therefore concerned indisputably an original institution, can only defined terms historical analysis its emergence mode operation concrete circumstances.
Cambridge University Press eBooks