The meaning of the ranks used in the Italian Army dates back to the last six centuries.

With the end of the Roman Empire, the division of the central power in small reigns, dukedoms or republics and after having lost the economic necessity and capacity of maintaining great contingents of troops, Italy has reconstituted a military structure after a thousand years.

During the Middle Age almost all the European Countries had mercenary troops that were unreliable in combat situations even if they were cheaper than the national units and well equipped and trained.

Later there was the necessity of organizing the personnel for the war and that was the start up for the reconstruction of the national hierarchical chains.