Napoleon

Season 1

With access to a unique archive of personal letters, historian Andrew Roberts brings the story of Napoleon vividly to life. As he retraces the footsteps of the legendary leader, he sheds new light on Napoleon as an extraordinarily gifted military commander and mesmeric leader, whose private life was, contrary to popular belief, littered with disappointments and betrayals.

20153 episodesTV-G

Documentary

Free trial of BBC Select

S1 E1 - Thirst for Power
June 9, 2015
52min
TV-G
From a lowly Corsican Army officer to first consul of France, the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte was extraordinary. Historian Andrew Roberts charts Napoleon's military triumphs in Italy, Egypt and against anti-revolutionaries on the streets of Paris. But perhaps his greatest triumph was leadership of the military coup of 1799 that swept him to ultimate power.
Free trial of BBC Select
S1 E2 - Global Ambitions
June 16, 2015
52min
TV-G
It's 1805 and Napoleon is already French Emperor. He was then crowned King of Italy and reached the height of his power. Historian Andrew Roberts charts the transformation of a political leader of the French to Emperor and global statesman. From a son of the French Revolution to the most powerful man on the planet who would change world history forever.
Free trial of BBC Select
S1 E3 - Revenge and Ruin
June 23, 2015
52min
TV-G
In 1815, Napoleon was taken to the remote island of St Helena, a prisoner of the British. It had taken just a year for the monarchies of Europe to destroy him. Historian Andrew Roberts charts the fall of Napoleon, a key defining moment in global history. As he sought to defend France against her enemies, he made grave military misjudgments that were to hasten his downfall.
Free trial of BBC Select