 The University of Salamanca is the oldest institution of higher education on the Iberian Peninsula. A cathedral school, located in Salamanca by 1130, received a charter from King Alfonso IX of León in 1218 as a “general school” for his realm. The regulations for this school were promulgated by King Alfonso X “el Sabio” in 1254. Pope Alexander IV, in 1255, confirmed the foundation of the studium generale and conferred on it the licentia ubique docendi, a universally valid license to teach. Thereafter, Salamanca was recognized as a university. Courses in theology and law were offered, with many graduates receiving employment by the crown of Spain. Lectures on authoritative texts were the most common means of teaching. Starting in the fifteenth century, professors also offered relectiones, treating in greater depth a particular topic previously covered during lectures. Disputations were also held. Christopher Columbus made his case for a sea route to Asia to the university before his voyage in 1492.