The Characters of The Napoleonic War
Napoleon Bonaparte
Emperor of the French
One of the greatest commanders in history, his wars and campaigns are studied at military schools worldwide. Napoleon's political and cultural legacy has endured as one of the most celebrated and controversial leaders in human history.
Learn moreMichel Ney
Marshal of the Empire
One of the original 18 Marshals of the Empire created by Napoleon who nicknamed him le Brave des Braves ('the bravest of the brave').
Learn moreJean Lannes
General of Division
Jean Lannes was one of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals. Napoleon once commented on Lannes: 'I found him a pygmy and left him a giant'.
Learn moreJean-de-Dieu Soult
Marshal of the Empire
Named Marshal of the Empire in 1804 and often called Marshal Soult. Soult was one of only six officers in French history to receive the distinction of Marshal General of France.
Learn moreJoachim Murat
Marshal of the Empire
Napoleon's brother-in-law through marriage to his younger sister, Caroline Bonaparte, he was noted as a daring, brave, and charismatic cavalry officer as well as a flamboyant dresser and was known as 'the Dandy King.'
Learn morePrince of Schwarzenberg
Generalfeldmarschall
Karl Philipp Prince of Schwarzenberg was an Austrian field marshal. He played a major role in Napoleon's decisive defeat at the Battle of Leipzig.
Learn moreMikhail Kutuzov
Field Marshal
Mikhail Kutuzov served as one of the finest military officers and diplomats of Russia under the reign of three Romanov Tsars: Catherine II, Paul I and Alexander I. Kutuzov is considered to have been one of the best Russian generals.
Learn moreThe Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal
He rose to prominence during the Peninsular War and became a national hero in Britain after the Napoleonic Wars, during which he led the victorious Anglo-Allied forces at the Battle of Waterloo.
Learn moreWilliam Ponsonby
Major-General
Major-General Sir William Ponsonby KCB was an Irish politician and British Army officer who served in the Peninsula War and was killed at the Battle of Waterloo.
Learn more