Is history a story of great men? Ridley Scott’s new film Napoleon tells the story of one man’s rise and fall. But some think we should find stories about more ordinary people.
X
Next
It's war! Film director attacks Paris critics
Is history a story of great men? Ridley Scott's new film Napoleon tells the story of one man's rise and fall. But some think we should find stories about more ordinary people.
X
PreviousNext
What's happening?
Napoleon, a film about the French leader, is in cinemas now.
French reviewers have asked how realistic the film really is. DirectorA person who is in charge of something, for example running a company or making a film. Ridley Scott told them to "get a life". But outside France many love the film.
It tells an incredible story. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769. He became a soldier during the French RevolutionThe overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France's king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide. and Emperor of FranceThe title of the monarch and supreme ruler of the First and the Second French Empires..
Twenty years after Napoleon's death, Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle wrote: "The history of the world is but the biography of great men."
This is now known as Great Man theoryAccording to the Great Man Theory, great leaders are born, not made. Leadership traits are inherent and cannot be learned. . We read books about Alexander the GreatA king of ancient Macedon who is renowned as one of the greatest military leaders in history. He conquered a vast empire stretching from Greece to modern-day Pakistan., look at MichelangeloAn Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He lived from 1475 to 1564. 's paintings and watch actor after actor play Winston ChurchillThe British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955. .
Find out more
Yet some disagree with this idea. The Great Man only focuses on men and White Europeans. And it ignores the lives and work of ordinary people. History should be about everyone, not a lucky few.
Is history a story of great men?
Yes! History is about people and their actions. The actions of great men did more to change the world than anyone else.
No! By focusing on great men, we are ignoring what the past was really like for most people - people who were not men, not White Europeans and not rich. History should be about their stories too.
X
Previous
Keywords
Director - A person who is in charge of something, for example running a company or making a film.
French Revolution - The overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France's king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide.
Emperor of France - The title of the monarch and supreme ruler of the First and the Second French Empires.
Great Man theory - According to the Great Man Theory, great leaders are born, not made. Leadership traits are inherent and cannot be learned.
Alexander the Great - A king of ancient Macedon who is renowned as one of the greatest military leaders in history. He conquered a vast empire stretching from Greece to modern-day Pakistan.
Michelangelo - An Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He lived from 1475 to 1564.
Winston Churchill - The British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955.
It’s war! Film director attacks Paris critics
Man of the hour: Joaquin Phoenix plays the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte. Glossary
Director - A person who is in charge of something, for example running a company or making a film.
French Revolution - The overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France’s king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide.
Emperor of France - The title of the monarch and supreme ruler of the First and the Second French Empires.
Great Man theory - According to the Great Man Theory, great leaders are born, not made. Leadership traits are inherent and cannot be learned.
Alexander the Great - A king of ancient Macedon who is renowned as one of the greatest military leaders in history. He conquered a vast empire stretching from Greece to modern-day Pakistan.
Michelangelo - An Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He lived from 1475 to 1564.
Winston Churchill - The British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955.