Punctator at the University of Bologna in the era of Copernican studies

Abstract

Nicolaus Copernicus studied canon and civil law in Bologna in the years 1496-1500. The article analyzes the preserved lists of absences from classes of professors at the University of Bologna during Copernicus' studies (attendance was checked by a special university official called a punctator). Additionally, the opinions contained in the draft list of classes (rotuls) for the academic year 1506/7 were analyzed. Copernicus was no longer in Bologna at that time (he left in 1500), but they were the same professors who taught during his studies in Bologna. The analysis of these sources leads to the cautious conclusion that Nicolaus Copernicus's law studies in Bologna may have been disappointing for him, due to, on the one hand, not very outstanding figures of academic life lecturing at law universities, and, on the other hand, the professors' not very conscientious approach to lectures through their students missing or showing little interest in these lectures. On the other hand, at the university of artists and medics (where, among other things, astronomy was taught) there was a group of above-average lecturers whom a young Copernicus could listen to, and who were certainly missing at law universities.