Introduction Admiralissimo is an informal title for a chief naval officer, usually implying supreme naval command. It does not correspond to any particular rank and is a naval equivalent of generalissimo. Brief History The history of this title is unknown but it may have an Italian origin like its army equivalent, generalissimo. List of Senior… Read More
Introduction Generalissimo is a military rank of the highest degree, superior to field marshal and other five-star ranks in the states where they are used. Refer to Stars & Generals article and Admiralissimo. Usage The word generalissimo, an Italian term, is the absolute superlative of generale (‘general’) thus meaning “the highest-ranking of all generals”. The… Read More
Events 1199 – King Richard I of England is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting in France, leading to his death on 06 April. 1387 – English victory over a Franco-Castilian-Flemish fleet in the Battle of Margate off the coast of Margate. 1401 – Turco-Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 – James VI of… Read More
Introduction A military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term junta means “meeting” or “committee” and originated in the national and local junta organised by the Spanish resistance to Napoleon’s invasion of Spain in 1808 (refer to Napoleonic Wars). The term is now used to refer to an authoritarian… Read More
Introduction A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defence, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. Background The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in some the minister is only in charge of general budget matters and procurement… Read More
Introduction Praetorianism means excessive or abusive political influence of the Armed Forces in a country. Brief History The word comes from the Roman Praetorian Guard, who became increasingly influential in the appointment of Roman emperors. Background Daniel R. Headrick, professor of History and Social Sciences at Roosevelt University, describes praetorianism as a type of militarism… Read More
Introduction Civilian control of the military is a doctrine in military and political science that places ultimate responsibility for a country’s strategic decision-making in the hands of the civilian political leadership, rather than professional military officers. Civilian control is often seen as a prerequisite feature of a stable liberal democracy. Use of the term in… Read More
