How had the army change over the years? Ancient Rome. The fall of the Empire.

The Roman army underwent significant changes from the time of its inception during the period of the Roman Kingdom, through the Roman Republic, and later during the Roman Empire. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Early Roman Army (to c. 300 BC): The early Roman army was based on an annual levy. There were no standing or professional forces, but every able-bodied Roman citizen was required to serve for a certain period of time.

2. Manipular Roman Army (c. 300–107 BC): This was the Roman military formation of the mid-Republic from the Samnite Wars to the end of the Social War. The army was divided into units called "maniples," which were somewhat flexible and could maneuver independently on the battlefield.

3. Marian Roman Army (107 BC–AD 27): The Marian reforms of Gaius Marius meant a transition to a professional army, with standardized equipment and improved training. The legions were divided into cohorts rather than maniples.

4. Imperial Roman Army (27 BC–AD 284): During the time of the Roman Empire, the army became a fully professional force. The legions were supplemented by non-citizen auxiliaries who provided additional skills and manpower. The army was also supplemented by units of the navy, the Praetorian Guard, and other forces.

5. Late Roman Army (284–476 AD): In the later stages of the Empire, the army underwent significant changes. The mobile field units, the comitatenses, were separate from the limitanei, the border troops. There was also a greater reliance on foreign mercenaries, known as foederati.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD marked the end of the Roman army in the West, although it continued in the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire). The army's changes over the years reflected broader societal, political, and economic changes in the Roman world.