Napoleonвђ™s Marshals Page

Several marshals distinguished themselves as masters of warfare:

"Terror in War, Ornament in Peace": The Marshals of Napoleon Napoleon’s Marshals

Others, like Murat (cavalry genius) and Lannes (the "Roland of the Army"), were close comrades from Italy. Many, such as Augereau and Masséna , had

Upon his coronation in 1804, Napoleon restored the title of Marshal—abolished during the Revolution—to reward loyal service and create a senior officer class, technically a civilian appointment at the Imperial Court rather than a military rank, though it function as the highest level of command. Of the first eighteen appointed, 14 were active commanders and four were honoraries.Napoleon chose his marshals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the revolutionary promise that talent, not birth, merited advancement. such as Augereau and Masséna

Many, such as Augereau and Masséna , had risen through the ranks during the Revolutionary Wars.