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They didn’t have memes in the Napoleonic Wars, but if they did, something like this would probably do the rounds.
These are two images of the same event – Napoleon crossing the Alps. The one on the left is propaganda. On the right is what actually happened.
Idea vs Reality.
These are two images of the same event – Napoleon crossing the Alps. The one on the left is propaganda. On the right is what actually happened.
Idea vs Reality.
On the left, the fearless leader points the way for his troops. On the right, Napoleon follows 3 days later, riding a mule, led by a guide.
He was crossing to relieve the city of Genoa, under siege by Austrian troops. He actually arrived too late and the city fell, but hey...
He was crossing to relieve the city of Genoa, under siege by Austrian troops. He actually arrived too late and the city fell, but hey...
Napoleon was so wholly unconcerned with factual accuracy, he refused to sit for the painting, and the artist had to use a sculpted bust as a likeness.
He felt that art should depict the character or essence of a person or an event, rather than simply recording mundane reality.
He felt that art should depict the character or essence of a person or an event, rather than simply recording mundane reality.
In some ways, Napoleon is just another historic narcissist forging his own mythology, but the fascinating thing about him is that he doesn’t lose touch with reality. He understands that for his myth to endure, it must be built on solid foundations.
What does that mean?
Well...
What does that mean?
Well...
It means that despite being an egomaniac, he cares about lots of mundane stuff other wannabe dictators consider beneath them - shoe-leather for his troops, ammunition storage, provisioning.
His willingness to get his hands dirty earned the him nickname ‘The Little Corporal’.
His willingness to get his hands dirty earned the him nickname ‘The Little Corporal’.
A storyteller who can do the spadework is a powerful thing. Most good leaders can do one or the other. The worst do neither while imagining they are doing both.
Napoleon wrote a romance novel at the age of 26.
The same year he conquered Italy. With plenty of shoe leather.
Napoleon wrote a romance novel at the age of 26.
The same year he conquered Italy. With plenty of shoe leather.
Of course, his wars killed millions, frequently for no better reason than narcissistic pursuit of glory. His many defeats proved catastrophic for France, but even after his death, his name empowered his descendants for a century - the harnessed power of his story.
