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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
- "Ah, the bane of statesmen and generals everywhere: an individualist. I know the feeling. Men like us have a great advantage over most in the army, you see: we can think for ourselves."
- ―Napoleon Bonaparte to Arno Dorian, 1792.[src]
Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a Corsican military and political leader who ruled first as the First Consul of France from 1799 to 1804, then as Emperor from 1804 to 1815. He rose to power amidst the chaos and political turmoil of the French Revolution. He was also an acquaintance to the Assassin Arno Dorian.
Biography
Early life
Born in French-owned Corsica, Napoleon Bonaparte's heritage gave him a bad impression among his fellow students in military school. He was also a known troublemaker due to his long leaves of absence.
In 1791 he aided Pasquale Paoli, a Corsican liberator, who later grew up to despise Napoleon's family. Due to exceeding his leave of absence, Napoleon was dismissed from the army. Nonetheless, he was still appointed as colonel of a battalion tasked with suppressing a peaceful demonstration. Against the orders of his superiors, Napoleon's troops took control of the citadel of Ajaccio.
In 1792, Napoleon participated in the Siege of Toulon during the French Revolution. Due to his experience as an artillery master, Napoleon earned the attention of Augustin and Maximilien de Robespierre, the former appointing him as the brigadier general, with the command of the artillery of the French Army in Italy.
Meeting Arno Dorian
- "You certainly don't look like a blood-crazed revolutionary. The hood... is a bit sinister though, if you don't mind my saying."
- ―Napoleon, during his first encounter with Arno, 1792.[src]
In 1792, Napoleon infiltrated Palais des Tuileries in order to acquire an Apple of Eden that had been placed in a chest and hidden in a secret vault by King Louis in the latter's study. At the same time, the Palace was under attack by several revolutionary extremists led by Napoleon's subordinate Frédéric Rouille.
Arno Dorian too had infiltrated the palace to search for compromising documents belonging to Mirabeau. As the Assassin entered the office, he was ambushed by Napoleon who held him at gunpoint. Initially hostile towards each other, the pair lowered their guards once they realized that they desired different prizes.
With Arno's Eagle Vision, they discovered the King's hidden vault. Distracted by destroying the documents, Arno failed to notice Napoleon sneaking away the casket containing the Apple of Eden. The pair was then aided by Bonaparte's soldiers, who managed to blow a hole in the palace's wall and provide them with an escape route.[1]
Collaboration with Arno
- "Life is more valuable than dignity. But this is what happens when you give command of the government to half-starved lunatics, and command of the army to bloodthirsty savages."
- ―Napoleon, regarding the turmoil of the French Revolution, 1792.[src]
In September 1792, Napoleon was accosted by several revolutionaries, though they let him go once he proclaimed his allegiance to the French Republic. Later on, he assisted Arno in finding Rouille, whom Napoleon had unsuccessfully tried to transfer to a far-off garrison. Thanks to Bonaparte's information, Arno was successful in assassinating Rouille in the Grand Châtelet prison.
Napoleon then became engaged to noblewoman Désirée Clary. During the French Revolution, as Napoleon feared for Désirée's safety, he sent his fellow captain Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte and Arno to protect her from royalist mercenaries. As Arno fought off the attackers, Désirée was struck by Bernadotte's charms, and a mutual romance began to blossom. However, as Désirée was promised to Napoleon, she resisted Bernadotte's advances despite her feelings.
Eventually, Napoleon became aware of the romance, and asked Arno to look into the matter. Finding evidence that Bernadotte intended to ask for Désirée's hand, Arno attempted to stop Bernadotte and spare Napoleon any embarrassment, but arrived too late. As Bernadotte confronted his superior, Désirée demanded he leave her alone.
Arno, sent by a remorseful Désirée, snuck into Napoleon's house and stole love letters sent between him and Désirée. However, Napoleon did not mind the theft at all, as he had begun to lose interest in Désirée, and was instead smitten with another woman, named Joséphine de Beauharnais, who would become his future wife. Eventually, Arno was sent by Thomas-Alexandre Dumas to escort Napoleon as the latter met with Joséphine. Despite Napoleon's protests, Arno followed the couple, and eliminated Royalists who attempted to assassinate Bonaparte.
Years later, Napoleon accompanied Arno to the Temple, where they discovered the skeletal remains of François-Thomas Germain. The pair then buried his body in the Parisian Catacombs.[1]
Rise to power
For the next few years, Napoleon had a successful career during the crushing of the 13 Vendémiaire uprising in Paris, an invasion of Italy and Egypt, and an upsurge in popularity. In 1799, in the Brumaire coup, Bonaparte seized power for himself, becoming the First Consul, and later on the Emperor of France.
However, on 24 December 1800, the last remaining Royalists of the 13 Vendémiaire coup, led by a one-eyed Royalist wounded by cannon fire, plotted to use "The Infernal Machine" against Napoleon. Arno was able to eliminate all of the snipers who fired on Napoleon's carriage as it headed towards the opera. However, the plan backfired when the Infernal Machine detonated too early, away from Napoleon's carriage. Napoleon's men then escorted the Consul to safety while the Assassin tracked down the Royalist leader and eliminated him, preventing any further assassination attempts.[1]
During the last few years of the Haitian Revolution, Napoleon remained as the Consul of France. He saw Toussaint Louverture as a threat, and sent Charles Leclerc to remove him from power, as well as giving him orders to reinstate slavery in the colony. He succeeded, but later in the war, French troops were forced out of Saint-Domingue. As a result, Napoleon had to sell the French colonies to the United States, in what would be known as the Louisiana Purchase.[2]
Personality and characteristics
- "A man of principle."
- ―Arno's sarcastically remarking on Napoleon, 1792.[src]
Napoleon was an eloquent and collected man who rarely lost his temper, only displaying subtle signs of annoyance when pressured. However, he was prone to losing composure when conversing with Joséphine, frequently stuttering and pausing nervously.
Napoleon has also displayed a habit of speaking in military lingo, describing how to 'flank' Joséphine while still remaining engaged with Désirée. He maintained an upper class attitude towards those around him, which made him very intolerable among his colleagues such as Bernadotte and Dumas. A possible reason for his aristocratic mannerisms was likely due to his less impressive Corsican heritage.
Following their first encounter, Napoleon and Arno Dorian bonded, despite their philosophical differences. Napoleon trusted Arno enough to allow him to help run personal errands with Désirée, while Arno seemed confident enough to speak with Bonaparte about his relationship with Élise de la Serre.
Equipment and skills
- "Better than anyone, he knew how to exploit his victories and cover up his defeats for the sake of public opinion."
- ―Shaun Hastings, 2014.
Napoleon was a gifted and capable leader, able to come up with military strategies that granted him victory despite the overwhelming odds. During the 13 Vendémiaire coup, despite being severely outnumbered, Bonaparte managed to defeat the Royalists with minimum casualties through the use of cannon fire. His charisma also played a pivotal role in his rise to power, garnering massive popularity in many of his campaigns.
As a commander of artillery, Napoleon was a skilled marksman, capable of shooting down an extremist rebel charging towards him without misfiring. Napoleon also carried a cavalry sabre, which was common for the men of his rank. He also displayed quick reflexes, being able to catch Arno off guard and hold him at gunpoint during their initial meeting.
Gallery
References