The Age of Napoleon Podcast

The Age of Napoleon is a history podcast about the life and career of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as the general context of Europe between the early eighteenth and early nineteenth century. It is about big trends and the grand sweep of history, as well as the smaller, individual stories that bring them to life.

Society & Culture
History
51
Episode 73: The Blood of a King
In 1803, Britain sent a team of assassins against Napoleon. They failed, but the plot led to one of the most controversial episodes of Napoleon's career.
93 min
52
Episode 72: The Experiment
With the war over, France was finally becoming prosperous again. Napoleon contemplated what this would mean for his regime as he worked to reform the country. In many ways, the Consulate was a golden age, but war with Britain was already looming on the horizon once again.
51 min
53
Episode 71: The Spoiled Child of Victory
France welcomes the Catholic Church back to the country in grand style, but the Concordat complicated Napoleon's relationship with staunch republicans in the army leadership.
35 min
54
Episode 70: Concord
Napoleon finally had his deal with the Vatican, but how would the Concordat of 1801 change France?
38 min
55
Episode 69: God Save the Republic
Napoleon continues his attempts to reconcile with conservatives. He finally manages to bring the Vatican to the negotiating table for an historic agreement.
41 min
56
Episode 68: The Eagle and the Owls
Napoleon wanted to bring social harmony to France, but to do that, he needed to resolve the bitter conflict between the Catholic Church and the revolution.
34 min
57
Episode 67: Resistance is Pointless
A conclusion to our discussion of the Napoleonic Code.
38 min
58
Episode 66: Master of France
Bonaparte finally takes the last legal step towards dictatorship, and we begin a discussion of his most important legacy: the Napoleonic Code.
32 min
59
Episode 65: The Blank Slate
The Treaty of Amiens is greeted with celebrations around the world. With peace, Napoleon prepares to embark on an ambitious program of reform.
31 min
60
Episode 64: The Last Treaty
After 8 years of war, Britain and France were finally on the road to peace.
35 min
61
Episode 63: Definitive Peace
After their defeat at Hohenlinden, the Austrians return to the negotiating table, resulting in a treaty that threw the entire future of the Holy Roman Empire into doubt.
35 min
62
Episode 62; The World Stage
The War of the 2nd Coalition is winding down, but peace proves elusive.
37 min
63
Episode 61: Triumph and Temptation
Horatio Nelson continues to build his reputation as one of the most brilliant sailors of the age.
59 min
64
Episode 60: Do Much or Be Ruined
With the outbreak of war, Nelson vows to either make his career or destroy himself in the effort.
37 min
65
Episode 59: That Great Little Man
We examine the early career of Horatio Nelson, one of Napoleon's ablest and most implacable opponents.
34 min
66
Episode 58: Stalemate
Austria drops out of the war, leaving Britain to continue the struggle against France alone.
39 min
67
Episode 57: The Infernal Machine
After Marengo, Napoleon's secret police did battle with violent radicals in the political underground.
39 min
68
Episode 56: The Fruits of Victory
Does the Battle of Marengo deserve its reputation as one of Napoleon's greatest victories?
38 min
69
Episode 55: The Promise
Napoleon marches against the Austrians yet again, with the future of his new regime hanging in the balance. What followed was one of the most dramatic and consequential campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars, culminating in the first great battle of the 19th century: Marengo.
48 min
70
Episode 54: The New Covenant
Napoleon outmaneuvers his rivals and secures his position as dictator of France with an undemocratic referendum.
37 min
71
Episode 53: Marx and the Coup with Matt Christman
Matt Christman returns for a conversation about the significance of 18 Brumaire.
31 min
72
Episode 52: The Morning After
We examine the aftermath and significance of the Coup of 18 Brumaire.
34 min
73
Episode 51: The Sword of Brumaire
Napoleon makes his triumphal return to France and joins a coup plot that will culminate in his rise to power.
44 min
74
Episode 50: Egypt Epilogue with Derek Davison
Derek Davison returns to discuss Middle Eastern history in the wake of the French Expedition.
52 min
75
Episode 49: Meanwhile, in Europe
While Napoleon was away in Egypt, the revolution faced new struggles in Europe.
32 min