FRENCH IDR RESEARCH WORK ON NAPOLEON BONAPARTE Napoleon Bonaparte, later known by his regnal name Napoleon , was a French military commander and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. Napoleon played a key role in the French Revolution (1789–99), served as first consul of France (1799–1804), and was the first emperor of France (1804–14/15). Today Napoleon is widely considered one of the greatest military generals in history. Learn about Napoleon's role in the French Revolution (1789–99). Napoleon is best known for his military prowess, he fought over 70 battles and was only defeated in eight, making France the greatest military power in Europe during his reign. The ruler also famously created the Napoleonic Code, which remains the basis of French civil law today. Napoleon had an extensive impact on the modern world, bringing liberal reforms to the countries he conquered, especially the regions of the Low Countries, Switzerland and parts of modern Italy and Germany. He implemented many liberal policies in France and Western Europe. His most significant achievement was the Napoleonic Code, which streamlined the French legal system. Continued political opposition from royalists and others soon convinced Napoleon that the best way to discourage conspiracies against him would be to transform the life consulate into a hereditary empire. France's former Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is second only to Jesus in terms of importance in history, according to rankings based on a new software programme. Napoleon was deemed more significant than the likes of the Prophet Mohammed and Hitler. Napoleon ruled for 15 years, closing out the quarter-century so dominated by the French Revolution. His own ambitions were to establish a solid dynasty within France and to create a French-dominated empire in Europe. One reason for this was that they provided him relief from his painful haemorrhoids. Napoleon was said to have had an intense dislike of cats, but adopted one during his exile on Saint Helena. Napoleon was said to have had an acute sense of smell. Napoleon was said to have had a horror of open doors.