Introduction

Summary

On 2 December 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor of the French. Three days later, he held an elaborate ceremony on the Champ de Mars in Paris. In front of the École Militaire, the academy where Napoleon had received his formal training to become an officer in the French army, workers erected an elaborate pavilion modeled on the headquarters of a Roman emperor. On a dais in the center rose the throne of the new Caesar. As a self-made man lacking dynastic legitimacy, Napoleon engineered this spectacle to align his regime with the military ethos and traditions of the Roman Empire. On his signal, deputations from the regiments of his army approached the throne. Napoleon rose and issued orders for the distribution of new battle standards and regimental colors to replace those of the republic that he had toppled. Atop each blue regimental flagpole perched a bronze eagle with outstretched wings and head turned to the left. Again borrowing from ancient tradition, Napoleon modeled his Eagles after the aquila, or eagle – the symbol of Rome's legions dating back to 104 BC. Likewise having outstretched wings, the Roman aquila looked to its right. After distributing the Eagles, Napoleon spoke to his warriors: “Soldiers! Behold your colors! These Eagles will always be your rallying point. They will always be where your emperor will judge necessary for the defense of his throne and his people. Swear to sacrifice your lives for their defense; and, by your courage, to keep them constantly in the path of victory. You swear.”