Sandrn Lewis brief tles1.: ription Napoleon Bonaparte early li fe

Brief introduction to early life of Napoleon Bonaparte, leading up to the French Revolution

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

August 15, 1769-May 5, 1821 \ ... _

What does freedom of religion, privileges based on birth, and government jobs going to the most qualified have in common with France? If you have ever heard of the "Napoleonic Code" then you are correct in thinking that we have more in common with France than meets the eye! He is generally known as the most famous and charismatic general in France's history. His accomplishments are many, as well as his catastrophic failures. His legacy is still felt today, including the famous expression, "Napoleonic complex" which is used in psychology circles.

He was not born into humble beginnings, but into a family of standing. He was christened Napoleon Bonaparte on August 15, 1769. He was born in the city of Ajaccio, Corsica. He was not French, but spoke Spanish! His father was a member of a noble Italian family .. Napoleon was the fourth of eleven children. This might seem unusual now, but large families were quite common in preceding centuries.

His father was on good terms with France, but Napoleon did not like France as a child At the age of ten, in 1779, he went to a military school in France with his brother, for those born into wealthy or aristocratic families. It is stated that perhaps he was a rambunctious child, and had to be sent away for uncontrolled behavior. At the school he was not treated well by his

classmates. He transferred to another military school, but was often teased because of his small stature. But is this a myth? There are conflicting

stories about his height. Some references indicate he was about 5 feet, 2

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inches tall, others indicate he may have been five feet six inches tall. But

regardless, he was seen as short, and was nicknamed "the little Corporal" by

his classmates

He became a very good student, perhaps because of t he teasing. No one

knows for sure. Here, at Brienne, he learned to love reading. He became an

avid reader and acquired a taste for the classics of Ancient Greece, Rome,

the Renaissance and of France's Age of Louis XIV. He also read the wor ks

of famous Roman historians, such as Plutarch.

Plutarch was a most famous historian, and famous for writing a biography

about Anthony. We know Anthony in one way from the famous Shakespeare

play, "Anthony and Cleopatra." Mark Anthony was a famous mil itary figure,

who was close to Julius Caesar. If you have ever heard the phrase:

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Samira Lewi s brief description Napoleon Bonaparte early life

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Napoleon

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them;

The good is oft interred with their bones ... "

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This is part of a very long speech from the play "Anthony and Cleopatra" by William Shakespaere, in which he defends Caesar after Caesar has been

assassinated. It is interesting to note that Napoleon was so interested in famous military figures. How these influenced him later on is not known, but it is certain he began to learn about military leadership from an early age!

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Napoleon

Questions: You may write answers or{ a separate paper

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1) Where was Napoleon Bonaparte born?

2) How many children were in his family?

3) What was his early education like?

4) What was the nickname given to him at school?

5) Why did he despise the common people of Paris?

6) Describe his time at Valence:

7) Name a famous author he admired:

8) Was Napoleon smart? Give an example:

9) Describe Plutarch:

lO)If you were a student with Napoleon, would you choose to befriend

him? Why or why not? Give a thoughtful answer.

11) Could you see yourself in a military school? Why or why not?