The structural history of the Roman military describes the major chronological transformations in the organization and constitution of ancient Rome's armed forces, "the most effective and long-lived military institution known to history". From its origins around 800 BC to its final dissolution in 476 AD with the demise of the Western Roman Empire, Rome's military underwent substantial structural change. Rome's military structure passed through four distinct phases. Initially, Rome's military consisted of an annual citizen levy performing military service as part of their duty to the state. As the extent of the territories falling under Roman suzerainty expanded, and the size of the city's forces increased, the soldiery of ancient Rome became increasingly professional and salaried. In the third phase of the city's military development, Rome's forces were tasked with manning and securing the borders of the provinces brought under Roman control, as well as Italy itself. Strategic-scale threats were generally less serious in this period, and strategic emphasis was placed on preserving gained territory. In the final phase of Rome's military, military service continued to be salaried and professional for Rome's regular troops. The uniformity of structure found in Rome's earlier military forces disappeared. This was accompanied by a trend in the late empire of an increasing predominance of cavalry rather than infantry troops, as well as a requital of more mobile operations.

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1791:

The Polish Constitution of May 3, one of the earliest codified national constitutions in the world, was adopted by the Sejm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_May_3%2C_1791

1815:

Austrian troops led by Frederick Bianchi, Duke of Casalanza defeated the forces under King Joachim Murat of Naples at the Battle of Tolentino, the decisive battle of the Neapolitan War. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tolentino

1837:

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the oldest university in the eastern Mediterranean, was founded. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_and_Kapodistrian_University_of_Athens

1942:

World War II: Japanese forces began invading Tulagi and nearby islands in the Solomon Islands Protectorate, enabling them to establish a base so they could threaten and interdict the supply and communication routes between the United States and Australia and New Zealand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Tulagi_%28May_1942%29

1947:

A new Constitution of Japan went into effect, providing for a parliamentary system of government, guaranteeing certain fundamental rights, and relegating the Japanese monarchy to a purely ceremonial role. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Japan

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

resile (v): 1. To start back; to recoil; to recede from a purpose.

2. To spring back; rebound; resume the original form or position, as an elastic body http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/resile

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. --Niccolò Machiavelli http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_Machiavelli