Napoleon Exposed: 10 Myths and Facts That Will Change How You See Him

Separate fact from fiction about Europe’s most famous—and misunderstood—emperor.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s name conjures images of battlefield glory, imperial grandeur, and relentless ambition. But how much do you really know about the man behind the myth?



Myth #1: Napoleon was unusually short. In reality, he was average height for his time; confusion arose from differences between French and British measurements.

Myth #2: He crowned himself emperor. True, but it was a calculated move to assert authority over church and state.

Myth #3: Napoleon was a ruthless warmonger. While he waged many wars, he also enacted legal and social reforms that shaped modern Europe.

Myth #4: The Napoleonic Code was perfect. It was revolutionary, but it also reflected the biases of its era, especially regarding women’s rights.



Fact #1: Napoleon’s reforms endure in dozens of countries today, from Latin America to the Middle East.

Fact #2: He was a master of propaganda, shaping his own legend through art, press, and memoirs.

Fact #3: His exile to St. Helena was harsh, but he used it to write his story for posterity.



The real Napoleon was complex: a man of contradictions, both tyrant and reformer, destroyer and creator. Understanding him means questioning the stories we inherit—and looking for the truth in the spaces between.