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He was born 238 years ago. He had Italian blood and French nationality. He was not so small as they say he was (he was 1,69m) and he was quite gorgeous ( he had a Mona Lisa kind of face, but his eyes were much prettier than hers). He liked to keep it simple; he loved mathematics, history and cannons; he didn't care about clothes, but he cared about the arts; he loved to read and to write; he was an intellectual and a man of action; he was ruthless and tender; very reserved, very strong-minded and totally committed to his goals in life. He lived like a meteor, but his legacy goes on (we tend to remember the wars instead of the policies).
His first victory was achieved in the rain, so he picked up where Alexander had stopped. In many aspects he was the closest anyone ever was to Alexander, though Alexander is a god and Napoleon only a genius.
His first victory was achieved in the rain, so he picked up where Alexander had stopped. In many aspects he was the closest anyone ever was to Alexander, though Alexander is a god and Napoleon only a genius.
He was born under the sign of Leo, with Libra rising, and in so many aspects he was much more a Libra than a Leo. He was Emperor (Leo) in a very Equinoctial (Libra) way. That's my perspective, anyway. Something I'll write about soon, hopefully. As this year the celebrations of the Peninsular War start, I've got my own point of view about Napoleon to deliver. Not the usual approach, as expected. But a new one, I hope. After 200 years of his biggest mistake ( the invasion of Portugal, according to him; having underestimated the Portuguese, according to me) I can look back and understand why he did it. In fact, almost everything he did I can understand now. Because, like with all the other great humans in history, when I begin to understand them, I never stop loving them.
And I imagine that if he were alive today he would still be a general in love with his uniform and his white horse, but also with his black one; because, just like Alexander, were they both alive today, I bet Napoleon would drive a red Ferrari. And when I imagine this guy, who was general at 24, driving a red Ferrari in his neat uniform, I really can assure you all I would go for a ride with him. A long one. The Grand Tour. And I don't think the Winter would stop us until we get to Moscow and back. Not this time, anyway.
Oh, 'what if' dreams and wishful thinking of the poor mortal I am. But the immortal he is will go on forever.
Happy birthday, Napoleon Bonaparte!
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