Auguste Frédéric Louis Viesse de Marmont was a late 18th and early 19th century French general and nobleman who was awarded the title of "Duc de Raguse" (in English, the "Duke of Ragusa" - Ragusa being the former name of Dubrovnik in Croatia). Halfway through the seven year Peninsular War fought in the Iberian Peninsula, he took command of the French army, but lost decisively at the Battle of Salamanca as France lost the whole war. His surrender to the opposing forces and subsequent loyalty to them was considered a great betrayal to Napoleon, and the verb "raguser", derived from his title, became a household word in France.
Return to FunTrivia
"Ask FunTrivia" strives to offer the best answers possible to trivia questions. We ask our submitters to thoroughly research questions and provide sources where possible. Feel free to post corrections or additions. This is server B184.