Napoleon's Symbols of Power Trivia Quiz

Answer: eagle

The Council discussed several possibilites for the seal. Each member was allowed to give his opinion, and each symbol had historical significance in France. The lion was said to be able to overcome the English leopard, the cock had been a symbol of France since the Renaissance and had been adopted as a symbol of the Revolution.

The elephant had been a symbol of Francis I and was incorporated in his home at Fountainebleau. Some believed that adopting the eagle might lead to conflict, because it was already used by Austria and Prussia. Napoleon was said to favor the lion.

However, he eventually chose an eagle with wings spread. It had been the symbol of the Roman emperors, as well as Charlemagne.

Answer: bee

Both the bee and fleur de lis were considered. Bees had been the symbols of early Frankish kings and had adorned their coat of arms. Some argue that the fleur de lis was a poorly drawn bee! Napoleon commonly used bees as secondary symbols. Oak, laurel, and olive branches also decorated the cloak, as well and wheat and grapes of abundance.

Answer: True

Napoleon definitely was a student of Roman history and civilization. The swan, butterfly, lightning bolts, and laurels all relate back to Roman antiquity. Swans bring forth a connection with Jupiter, Leda, and Apollo; the butterfly ties in with the story of Psyche and Cupid; Jupiter is commonly depicted as holding a lightning bolt in each of his hands; and the words laurel and victory are nearly synonymous.

Answer: They folded

Napoleon owned furniture specially designed for use in military campaigns. The bed folded and could be transported in a small wooden trunk. It is said that he gave one to Czar Alexander of Russia, and died on a similar bed on St. Helena. To make the table steadier on uneven ground, and to make folding easier, it only had three legs. The chairs were reserved for Napoleon's use only.

Answer: Mars

Napoleon reportedly never wore it. It was made of steel and brass and presented to him by the arms makers of Paris in 1805. On the breastplate he is compared to the Roman god of war, Mars, from whom he is symbolically descended.

Answer: chimeras

The throne was later used by Louis XVIII, who had it redesigned. Both the arms and seat show signs of use. The armrests of the Chair for the Emperess's Rostrum at the Legislature are decorated with lions. It is not clear if it was made for Josephine or Marie-Louise.

Answer: N

The "N" was the Emperor's monogram. It is usually intertwined with oak or laurel leaves and branches. The monogram is seen on several items, including wall hangings, furniture, jewelry, and carpet.

Answer: Veni Vidi Vici

Recognize it? Julius Caesar gave this simple but powerful report after the overwhelming Roman victory against Pharnaces of Pontus. The words "Honneur" and "Patrie" are also engraved on the sword.

Answer: nef

The nef commonly held salt, pepper, and other spices. All French kings had at least one; however, none of the pre-revolutionary royal nefs remain in existence, probably because they were melted down to finance military campaigns. The nefs belonging to Napoleon and Josephine are still intact.

Answer: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

This is considered by many to be one of the most important portraits of the Napoleonic era. However, it was thought to be already outdated at its unveiling and spent many years in storage in the Louvre. The painting shows Napoleon as an emperor with all the trappings of power: the eagle, lightning bolts, a laurel crown, the hand of Justice, and the scepter of Charles V.