Lord Andrew Roberts joins Dan to unpack the mythology of Napoleon. They delve into his legacy, achievements, and failures, exploring his final days and the commentary he left behind. They question whether he truly was a great man, discussing his memoirs, last battle, image, and defining greatness in history.
Napoleon's memoirs, titled 'The Memorials of St. Helena,' solidified his legendary status and contributed to the Napoleon cult that persists to this day.
Napoleon's exile on St. Helena was marred by poor living conditions, harsh climate, and the controlling behavior of Governor Sir Hudson Lowe.
Deep dives
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Napoleon's exile on St. Helena
Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic by the British after his defeat at Waterloo. The island's isolation and harsh climate made it a purgatory for Napoleon, who had expected a different fate, such as being sent to America. His exile was marred by poor living conditions, dampness, infestations of rats, and the controlling and rude behavior of Governor Sir Hudson Lowe. Napoleon's death remains somewhat mysterious, with theories of poisoning or self-poisoning, but autopsy results suggest he suffered from ulcers and stomach pains throughout his life.
Napoleon's memoirs and his legacy
Napoleon wrote his memoirs during his exile on St. Helena. These memoirs, titled 'The Memorials of St. Helena,' were published after his death and became a bestseller in the 19th century. They solidified the legendary status of Napoleon and contributed to the Napoleon cult that persists to this day. The memoirs, although subjective and self-justifying, created a lasting myth around Napoleon's greatness and his accomplishments as a reformer, military leader, and administrator. The publication of the memoirs also played a role in the French government's decision to bring Napoleon's remains back to France, where they were entombed in Les Invalides in Paris.
The fascination with Napoleon
Napoleon's enduring fascination can be attributed to his immense impact on history and his larger-than-life persona. His rise from obscurity, his military victories, and his reforms in France and across Europe captivate historians and the public alike. The myths and legends surrounding Napoleon contribute to his ongoing allure, with people devoting their lives to studying and exploring various aspects of his life, from his childhood to his leadership style. Napoleon's legacy and the enduring interest in him are evident in the countless books written about him and the constant search for new insights into his thoughts, actions, and character.
Napoleon has become more than a man. His name is a concept, a way of being, a psychological term- the 'Napoleon' complex. Napoleon began working on his legacy during his exile on St Helena in the last years of his life, his journal- memoir 'The Memorial of Saint Helena' was Napoleon's own personal and political testament and served as the founding text of the cult of Napoleon and the ideology of Bonapartism that grew after his death in 1821.
In the final episode of the series, Dan is joined by historian and biographer Lord Andrew Roberts to unpack the mythology of Napoleon. They delve into his final days, his lifetime achievements and failures and the commentary he gave throughout; the letters he wrote to rulers and lovers, the fiction he wrote, the political and military treaties he created and they try to answer the question- was he really a great man?
Produced by Mariana Des Forges, Freddy Chick and edited by Dougal Patmore.
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