In our introductory lecture, Lord Roberts traces Napoleon Bonaparte's early life and rise to power, exploring his Corsican origins, military education, and the opportunities presented by the French Revolution. We examine how his tactical brilliance during the Italian campaign of 1796, particularly at the Battle of Lodi, established his reputation as a military genius who revolutionized warfare through speed, coordination, and living off the land. Lord Roberts highlights Napoleon's complex character—his ruthlessness alongside his intellectual pursuits—and how his ambition and self-belief propelled him from minor nobility to become one of history's great military leaders.

In lecture two, we explore Napoleon's military campaigns in Italy and Egypt from 1796 to 1799, examining his tactical brilliance and leadership style. We learn about key battles, including Castiglione, Rivoli, and the Pyramids, as well as Napoleon's psychological approach to commanding troops through honor, shame, and personal connection. The lecture concludes with Napoleon's return to France and the Brumaire coup of November 1799, which established him as First Consul and marked his transition from military leader to political ruler.

In lecture three, we learn about Napoleon's transformation of France during the Consulate period (1799-1804), highlighting his role as a lawgiver rather than merely a military conqueror. The lecture examines Napoleon's comprehensive reforms—including the Concordat with the Pope, establishment of the Légion d'honneur, educational reforms, creation of the Conseil d'État and Banque de France, infrastructure development, and legal reforms. We also study Napoleon's military organization through the corps system led by his marshals, culminating in his coronation as Emperor and the decisive victory at Austerlitz that solidified his power to reshape Europe.