When did the tradition of saluting begin?

The tradition of saluting began during medieval times among knights. Knightly salutation rituals were formalized in societies of chivalry, where knights would raise their visors to acknowledge each other and show respect. This practice was rooted in demonstrating good faith and mutual respect on the battlefield and during social encounters, which later evolved into the salute we recognize today in military contexts.

In contrast, the other options relate to specific historical contexts in which saluting developed further but did not originate the practice. The 18th century saw naval officers formalize saluting with specific protocols, while the early years of the United States Navy and the inception of the U.S. Marine Corps contributed to codifying these customs for their respective branches, but they were adaptations of long-standing traditions that began much earlier.