Napoleon, for better or for worse, still unleashes passions 200 years after his death
The statue of Napoleon I on horseback, by sculptor Charles-Pierre-Victor Pajol (1812-1896), built in 1867 in memory of the Battle of Montereau, in Montereau-Fault-Yonne, France.
REUTERS - SARAH MEYSSONNIER
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
Napoleon I died 200 years ago and yet he is still talked about.
Thousands of books are devoted to him, dozens of films, and even a musical carried by Serge Lama.
A celebrated but also hated character who continues to unleash passions as evidenced by the celebration of this bicentenary.
Publicity
Read more
Napoleon has his fans and his detractors.
First, there are those who are fascinated by the journey of this ambitious “little corporal” who became a conquering emperor.
At its peak, the Napoleonic Empire had up to 130 departments acquired through annexations.
Then, he left behind a political and legal legacy that is still very present.
He is the architect of the modern state, strong and centralized, and in 1804 of the Civil Code which continues to govern our lives.
The most famous French historical figure in the world
Others see him as a gravedigger of the Republic, reproach him for his authoritarianism and sometimes even his misogyny.
The Napoleonic Civil Code is based on the authority of the father of the family, and there is, for example, an article which tends to excuse the murder of a woman by her husband in cases of adultery.
Last point of tension: Napoleon is the one who restored slavery in 1802.
Criticized or adored, 200 years after his death, he remains the most famous French historical figure in the world, the object of an ever-abundant literary production.
►
Also to listen: Napoleon, a military genius
The French political class very divided
The bicentenary of the death of the French emperor is commemorated by President Emmanuel Macron who will lay flowers on his grave and deliver a speech at the Institut de France this Wednesday afternoon.
The initiative deeply divides the French political class.
Commemorations of the bicentenary of Napoleon's death: the political class very divided
Aurélien Devernoix
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
France
History
Culture