Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
An emperor in exile
ST HELENA, 1815
This attractive printed map sheds light on the last years of one of history's most famous polit-
ical and military leaders, Napoleon Bonaparte. Born in Corsica, he rose from obscurity after
the French revolution to become a senior army officer. In 1799, aged 30, he led a success-
ful military coup and established himself as the leader of France, initially as first consul and
later as emperor. His reign was marked by a series of conflicts now known as the Napoleonic
Wars. At first, France was in the ascendant and Napoleon came to dominate much of Europe,
but eventually the tide turned against him. Comprehensively beaten by the Sixth Coalition of
his many opponents, he was deposed and exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba in 1814.
Escaping from Elba the following year, he resumed the role of emperor for a few months but
was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and banished once more.
