It has been since 1992 that the University of Naples was named after Federico II, to underline its ancient origins, dating back to June 5, 1224, when the Swabian emperor, as well as king of Sicily, issued the institutive edict from Syracuse. Unlike in Bologna and other cities, the Neapolitan firm was born with an imperial act, aimed at forming the leading groups necessary for the government of the state. This secular origin, however, would not have prevented heavy intrusions of the Church into her cultural life.
The centuries-old history of the University of Naples had many dark moments and setbacks, but also innovative impulses that attracted the attention of the European university and academic world on its teachers. Even in the most difficult phases it never lost the power of attraction for a provincial student population that in university education saw prospects of social ascent and cultural elevation.