Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte painted by
Jacques-Louis David in 1812
May 26, 1805: Napoleon "the Little Corporal" Bonaparte is crowned King of Italy. Bonaparte took command of the French "Army of Italy" in 1796. He rid Lombardi of her Austrian rulers and then took over two Papal States. Ignoring orders, he marched on Rome and took the Pope prisoner. His first Italian assault is often deemed to be his greatest campaign. His army captured 160,000 prisoners, 2,000 cannons and 170 flags.
In May 1798, Napoleon proposed that Egypt be brought under French control to undermine British access to India. Along with military and political staff, Bonaparte included 167 scientists in his expedition confirming his devotion to the principles of the Enlightenment. While there were many discoveries, including the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian campaign was not truly successful.
Bonaparte returned to France and continued to advance and win battles. He and others orchestrated a coup d'état and overthrew the constitutional government. Bonaparte, ever the brilliant strategist, maneuvered himself into the position of First Consul. He continued to broker agreements and tried to reconcile with the Catholic Church. He also worked to codify criminal and commercial law.
By 1800, Napoleon returned to Italy and evicted the Austrians again – they had returned while Bonaparte was in Egypt. All of his campaigns were straining the coffers and to help finance his increased costs, he sold off property in the Americas in 1803. The US made the Louisiana Purchase for only three cents per acre. This not only improved Bonaparte's economic position, but also gave him one less front to defend. In 1804 he was declared Emperor in Paris. Continuing to amass titles, he was crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy, an ancient royal insignia of Europe. The coronation took place in the Duomo di Milano cathedral in Milan, Italy. Napoleon remained King of Italy until 1814.
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"I can no longer obey; I have tasted command, and I cannot give it up."
"Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in."
"Religion is what keeps the poor man from murdering the rich."
"If you start to take Vienna - take Vienna."
"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat." – all from Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte on BBC.
Napoleon Bonaparte Guide.
Links to the best of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Comments
Yeah; every Italian kid knows this. Napoleon's the best. And his quotes are sooo useful! The article taught me stuff I didn't get, I assumed it was 1805, but I didn't know.
Viva L'Imperatore!!!!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And learned something :)
Napoleon's Exile: Elba.
Have you seen the difference he made to the place? Little genius. Pity everybody dismissed the fact that he helped France out of the Revolution, made his own fabulous Empire and didn't murder the King Bourbon.
I'm going to make sure everybody forgets the shorty trivia. It's ages since I last visited this site. I love this article very much, and the first quote is genius...
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