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{{Ambiguous|subject=the genetically engineered imperial Imperial fighter elite|disambiguation=Space Marine}}
{{SpaceMarinesPortal}}
The '''Adeptus Astartes''' (commonly known as '''Space Marines''', and colloquially as '''Angels of Death''') are the most elite and feared fighting forces of the [[Imperium]]. The primary unit of organization organisation is the [[Chapter]], a self-contained army fully equipped with its own transport, non-combatant support staff, etc. There are around a thousand Chapters, each comprising a thousand Space Marines. There are far too few Space Marines to form the Imperium's main military forces; instead they operate as highly mobile strike forces. They are entrusted with the most dangerous missions, such as lightning raids behind enemy lines, infiltration and tunnel fighting<sup>6</sup>. Through selection, training and conditioning, Marines are physically, mentally and spiritually superior to any other Imperial soldier.<sup>5</sup>[[Image:space marines deployments.jpg|thumb|right|Space Marine Deployments|250px]]
==History==
The first Space Marines were created from the genetic material of the [[Primarch]]s, after they were spirited away from the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]] by the [[Gods of Chaos Gods]]. Twenty [[Space Marine Legion|Legions of Space Marines]] were created, each from the genetic material of a specific Primarch.
The Legions took part in the [[Great Crusade]], during which the lost Primarchs were rediscovered and given command of their respective Legion. The Crusade, lasting for two centuries, ended with the treachery of one of the Primarchs, Horus, who lead at least half of the Legions in a rebellion known as the [[Horus Heresy]] against the Emperor. In the final battle for control of the future of mankind, Horus was slain by the Emperor. With the rebellion defeated, those Legions which had sided with Horus were driven into the [[Eye of Terror]].
The Legions which had remained loyal were eventually reorganized reorganised according to the dictates of the [[Codex Astartes]], in the event known as the [[Second Founding]]. Each Legion was divided into several autonomous Chapters which remain the primary unit of the Space Marines to the current day.
Successive [[founding]]s over the millennia have created new chapters. There are now around a thousand chapters in existence, each Chapter ultimately descending from one of the loyalist Legions.
To some extent, the Chapters maintain the traditions and character of the Legion they descend from. Chapters adhere to the Codex Astartes in differing degrees, some regarding any deviation from it as virtual heresy; others, notably the [[Black Templars]], [[Blood Angels]], [[Space Wolves]], and [[Dark Angels]], only following the Codex in the broadest matters.<sup>1,4,6</sup>
==OrganizationOrganisation==The Adeptus Astartes is comprised of autonomous [[Chapter]]s, each of which is a complete army in itself, possessing its own transport, warp[[Warp]]-capable spacecraft, non-combatant personnel and [[fortress-monastery]] based on a planet or fleet. There are roughly a thousand Chapters, each led by a Space Marine with the rank of [[Chapter Master]]. A chapter's fighting force numbers a nominal 1,000 Marines, divided into ten companies, each of which is commanded by a [[Captain]]. Companies are further divided into squads of ten battle-brothers.<sup>5</sup>
The Chapter Masters owe their allegiance to the [[Emperor]]. Ultimately the Chapter is subject to the orders of the highest-ranking among the [[Adeptus Terra]], although only in a general sense.<sup>7</sup>
Chapters are monastic communities in nature; for most of the Marines, the Chapter is their world, and the only contact they have with outsiders is in battle.
===Tactical organizationorganisation===
The traditional Codex Chapter is tactically organized into a number of different types of squad: [[Tactical Squad|Tactical]], [[Assault Marine|Assault]] and [[Devastator Squad|Devastator]]. The squad types are equipped and trained to fulfil a specific battlefield role, each of the three types designed to complement each other on the battlefield to make a far more effective whole. In addition to these three squad types, veterans can be formed into [[Veteran Squad (Space Marines)|Veteran]] or [[Terminator Squad]]s, while the initiate Marines are formed into [[Space Marine Scout|Scout]] squads.
The primary individual weapons of the Space Marines is the [[boltgun]] and its pistol variant, the [[bolt pistol]].
The distinctive [[Power Armour|power armour]] is worn by all Marines in battle. Some members of the Chapter's first company may instead be armoured in the heavier [[Terminator Armour|terminator armour]]. [[Carapace armour]] is worn by [[Space Marine Scout|Scout]]s instead of power armour. There is also a 4th type of armour called [[artificer armor|artificerArtificer Armour]] armour worn by most marines who have served 3 centuries for the Emperor or performed a notably brave action in battle.
==Recruitment and training==
{{main|Creation of a Space Marine}}
Recruits are chosen from the best warriors among humanity[[human]]ity. Naturally this make [[Feral World|feral world]]s prized recruitment grounds, as such harsh and primal conditions produce the best warriors. However [[Hive World|hive worlds]] are considered the ideal source of potential recruits, the populace of the lower levels composed of some of the most murderous scum in the human Imperium. Whole gangs of hive scum are sometimes hunted down and captured for recruitment. Among the most valued traits in a recruit are aggression and psychotic-level killer instinct. Much more rarely, certain [[Civilised World|civilised worlds]] are also recruited from.<sup>7,5</sup>
The potential recruit is first subjected to testing, including tissue compatibility tests and psychological screening. Relatively few get past this initial selection process. Those that do pass are termed ''neophytes'', and the process continues with the surgery, indoctrination, conditioning and training that will make them Marines.
