Napoleon's family was of Italian origin. His paternal ancestors, the Buonapartes, descended from a minor Tuscan noble family who emigrated to Corsicain the 16th century and his maternal ancestors, the Ramolinos, descended

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Upon graduating in September 1785, Bonaparte was commissioned a second lieutenant in La Fère artillery regiment. He served in Valence and Auxonneuntil after the outbreak of the

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While in Egypt, Bonaparte stayed informed of European affairs. He learned that France had suffered a series of defeats in the War of the Second Coalition. On 24 August 1799, he took

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Napoleon was baptised in Ajaccio on 21 July 1771. He was raised as a Catholic but never developed much faith, though he recalled the day of his

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The British kept Napoleon on the island of Saint Helenain the Atlantic Ocean, 1,870 km (1,162 mi) from the west coast of Africa. They also took the

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Historians emphasize the strength of the ambition that took Napoleon from an obscure village to rule over most of Europe. In-depth academic studies about his early life conclude that

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Napoleon has become a worldwide cultural icon who symbolizes military genius and political power. Martin van Crevelddescribed him as "the most competent human being who ever lived". Since his death, many towns, streets, ships, and even cartoon

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