The Opulence of Napoleon's Coronation

Napoleon was trying to show the world that he could surpass even the grandest old regime monarch. France's new ruling class of upper middle class profess onals were perceived as an uncultured rabble barely better than the common parisian mob. Napoleon and his government had chips on their shoulders, and this wasn't just a question of pride. It was important for fe foreign policy that france be treated like any other country, rather than some radical outlaw state.