This week’s post may seem a bit odd for what we usually discuss, but there are fascinating plot twists and remarkably familiar outcomes. Today we are discussing some of the life and history of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential and controversial figures in European history. He rose to power in France during the tumultuous years of the French Revolution and went on to conquer much of Europe as Emperor of the French.
Napoleon’s military career began in 1785 when he joined the French Army as a second lieutenant. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a general during the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1799, he overthrew the French government in a coup d’état and established himself as the First Consul, effectively becoming the leader of France.
As the ruler of France, Napoleon embarked on a program of social and economic reform. He introduced a number of significant reforms in areas such as education, taxation, and civil law, and he worked to modernize France’s infrastructure and economy. He also had a strong interest in mathematics and science, recognizing the importance of these fields in the development of his empire. He established the Institut de France and the Ecole Polytechnique, which brought together leading scholars and scientists to collaborate on scientific research and development.
In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte led a military campaign in Egypt, and during his stay, he visited the Great Pyramids of Giza and became fascinated with their history and architecture. He was particularly intrigued by the mystery surrounding the pyramids and their builders, and he even ordered a scientific expedition to study them. He also decided to spend a night inside the tomb of Cheops like several of his infamous predecessors.
According to Napoleon’s own account, he was attacked by a swarm of bats and plagued by strange dreams during his night in the pyramid. He also reported hearing strange noises and feeling a sense of overwhelming fear and dread. When he emerged the next day a few of his most trusted men asked Napoleon what had happened inside the Pyramid, Napoleon replied: “Even If I told you, you would not believe me.” It is believed that the night Napoleon spent inside the Great Pyramid changed his life forever. These experiences left a profound impression on Napoleon and caused him to become increasingly superstitious. Napoleon began to express interest in shifting his focus away from military conquests and toward science and mathematics.
Napoleon’s change of heart and mind from his experiences in the Great Pyramids is evident in his subsequent actions. He became increasingly interested in mystical and esoteric beliefs, and he began to associate himself with occultist groups. He also developed a fascination with ancient Egyptian religion and symbolism, which he incorporated into his own iconography and personal beliefs.
In addition to his personal transformation, Napoleon’s experiences in Egypt had a broader impact on European culture. His interest in Egyptology sparked a renewed fascination with ancient Egypt throughout Europe, which had a lasting impact on art, literature, and scholarship. In many ways, Napoleon’s experiences in the Great Pyramids helped to shape our modern understanding of ancient Egypt and its mysteries.
Popular history states that in 1815, Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and was subsequently exiled to Saint Helena, where he spent the remainder of his life in confinement. It is stated by some, though, that, in fact, his confinement came due to his decision to desist from his profitable conquests (which clearly is not acceptable in the eyes of those who really run the world for profit and control, therefore benefitting the most from Napoleon’s military genius and effective tactics).
While in exile, Napoleon read extensively on a wide range of subjects, including history, philosophy, and science. He was particularly interested in the works of mathematicians such as Laplace and Lagrange, and he even developed a theorem on the geometry of triangles that is still studied today. In addition to his interest in mathematics, Napoleon was also fascinated by the natural world. He studied geology and biology, and he even sponsored a number of scientific expeditions to explore the natural world and expand the boundaries of human knowledge.
And as we all know the story goes that Napoleon died from “stomach cancer”, but it’s widely accepted that he was in fact poisoned and murdered due to his continued influence and disobedience toward the powers that be.
Napoleon Bonaparte was a complex and fascinating figure who left an indelible mark on European history. He was a brilliant military strategist, a committed reformer, and an avid student of mathematics and science. His military conquests and social reforms had a profound impact on Europe, and his legacy continues to be studied and debated by historians and scholars around the world.
Despite his controversial legacy, Napoleon remains a towering figure in the history of Europe and the world. And his life is yet another cautionary tale of how anyone, no matter how powerful, is expendable and under the control of those that are eerily pulling the strings behind the curtain. But never fear and be great no matter the cost, it changes the world one person at a time.
