Is history a story of great men? Ridley Scott’s new film Napoleon tells the epic story of one man’s rise and fall. But some think we should find more inclusive stories about our past.
It's war! Film director attacks Paris critics
Is history a story of great men? Ridley Scott's new film Napoleon tells the epic story of one man's rise and fall. But some think we should find more inclusive stories about our past.
The autumn air is filled with the sound of hooves, the banging of drums and the smell of gunfire. Napoleon, an epic biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix as the French tyrantA cruel and unrestrained ruler. , has galloped into the cinema. It promises a feast of battle and drama.
French critics have questioned the film's historical accuracy. They claim it is biased against Napoleon and supports his British foes. Director Ridley Scott said: "When a critic says to me, 'This did not happen', I say 'Were you there?'".
The film has met applause elsewhere. In a five-star review, The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw saluted "a spectacle with a great star at its centre".
Napoleon tells an incredible story. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in CorsicaAn island in the Mediterranean that has been part of France since the 18th Century. in 1769, part of an obscure Italian noble family. 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.. His military genius saw him rise to commander, then ConsulThe name given to the two magistrates who had supreme authority in the Roman Republic. They were elected annually., then Emperor of France.
He defeated most of Europe in battle.1 He ended the 1,000-year old Holy Roman EmpireLasting from 27BC to 476AD, the Roman Empire controlled regions around the Mediterranean in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. . At home he reformed education, banking and the legal system. Many of his changes remain today.
In 1813, Napoleon was on top of the world. But a disastrous invasion of Russia weakened his army. Austria, PrussiaA former German state whose capital was in Berlin. In the late 19th Century it united its neighbours into modern Germany., Russia and Sweden ganged up to topple him.2 But even then he mounted a comeback. He was defeated for good by Britain and Prussia at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled to a tiny island in the Atlantic.3
Napoleon's spectacular life has inspired paintings, films, cartoons and video games. Some of the greatest novels ever written take place against his actions, from Vanity Fair to War and Peace. He has given his name to streets, cities, cars, sweets and even a syndrome.4
Twenty years after Napoleon's death, Scottish historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle wrote On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History (1841). Carlyle argued that "The history of the world is but the biography of great men." Napoleon was one such figure.5
This conception of history is now known as Great Man theory. It quickly became popular. French president Charles de Gaulle once said: "Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men". This approach to history continues today. We devour 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., flock to 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. .
These figures were famous in their own times. Writers recorded how Julius CaesarJulius Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Roman senators at a senate meeting in 44BC. behaved, but not the actions of the average Roman citizen. This gives historians more to work with. And it allows us to build up complex pictures of their characters.
Yet some disagree with this approach. The Victorian sociologist Herbert Spencer thought that history was shaped by wider social trends. Spencer wrote: "Before [a man] can remake his society, his society must make him." Great men are led by circumstance. Napoleon would be nothing without the Revolution.
Many historians agree. The Great Men theory is sexist. It often focuses on White Europeans. And it ignores the lives and work of the vast majority of humanity, who have an equal claim to making the world what it is. History should be about normal people, not a lucky few.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Is history a story of great men?</strong></h5>
Yes: History is about people, their actions and interactions. The actions of history's great men affected the world more than those of the faceless masses. Therefore we should focus more on them.
No: Humanity's past is far richer and more complex than the lives of a lucky handful. History today should be about uncovering those stories that have been lost, forgotten and erased.
Or... Great people remain fascinating. But we need to change our idea of what makes someone great. Above all, we should expand the category to include more women and more non-Europeans.
Tyrant - A cruel and unrestrained ruler.
Corsica - An island in the Mediterranean that has been part of France since the 18th Century.
French Revolution - The overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France's king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide.
Consul - The name given to the two magistrates who had supreme authority in the Roman Republic. They were elected annually.
Roman Empire - Lasting from 27BC to 476AD, the Roman Empire controlled regions around the Mediterranean in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia.
Prussia - A former German state whose capital was in Berlin. In the late 19th Century it united its neighbours into modern Germany.
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.
Julius Caesar - Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Roman senators at a senate meeting in 44BC.
It’s war! Film director attacks Paris critics

Glossary
Tyrant - A cruel and unrestrained ruler.
Corsica - An island in the Mediterranean that has been part of France since the 18th Century.
French Revolution - The overthrow (and subsequent execution) of France’s king and aristocratic government in 1789. The revolution became infamous and influential worldwide.
Consul - The name given to the two magistrates who had supreme authority in the Roman Republic. They were elected annually.
Roman Empire - Lasting from 27BC to 476AD, the Roman Empire controlled regions around the Mediterranean in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia.
Prussia - A former German state whose capital was in Berlin. In the late 19th Century it united its neighbours into modern Germany.
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.
Julius Caesar - Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Roman senators at a senate meeting in 44BC.