# Napoleon — The Crowd character guide > Napoleon in The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Napoleon, the Bourbons Napoleon, Bonaparte **First appearance:** 0002-the-crowd ## Snapshot The emperor who treated the popular imagination as the true throne of power, bending crowds by image and gesture rather than argument. ## Who they are Le Bon returns to Napoleon as the supreme technician of prestige, the man who understood that crowds are led through their imagination and not their reason. He became a god to his followers for fifteen years, sending men to their deaths with the ease of a divinity, and even confessed that he won Egypt by becoming a Mussulman and the Vendée by becoming a Catholic. His example anchors the book's central claim that great leaders govern by striking the collective imagination. ## Relationships ### [Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/crowds) _social_ The crowds are drawn to Napoleon as a charismatic leader and object of mass adulation. ### [Augereau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/augereau) _rivalry_ Augereau and Napoleon are military rivals with conflicting ambitions and egos. ### [The Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/the_hero) _psychological_ Napoleon is often seen as a real-world embodiment of The Hero archetype, merging myth with history. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _psychological_ Napoleon is a central subject of the narrator's study of leadership and mass manipulation. ### [Barras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/barras) _professional_ Barras was a political patron who helped advance Napoleon's early career, later becoming a rival. ### [The Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/the_hero) _psychological_ Napoleon is often seen as a real-world embodiment of The Hero archetype, merging myth with history. ### [Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/crowds) _social_ The crowds are drawn to Napoleon as a charismatic leader and object of mass adulation. ## In the story ### [The Crowd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/the-crowd) Referenced as an example of a leader who understood and manipulated crowd psychology. ### [Book I: The Mind of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/book-i-the-mind-of-crowds) Referenced as an example of a leader who understood and manipulated crowd psychology. ### [General Characteristics of Crowds—Psychological Law of Their Mental Unity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/i-general-characteristics-of-crowds-psychological-law-of-their-mental-unity) Cited as finding docile servants among former members of the French Convention. ### [The Intolerance, Dictatorialness and Conservatism of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/4-the-intolerance-dictatorialness-and-conservatism-of-crowds) Bonaparte is mentioned as the figure whom the Jacobins acclaimed when he suppressed liberty and enforced strong authority. ### [The Imagination of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/3-the-imagination-of-crowds) Cited as a master of impressing the crowd's imagination, noting his adaptation to religious contexts to gain power. ### [A Religious Shape Assumed by All the Convictions of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/iv-a-religious-shape-assumed-by-all-the-convictions-of-crowds) Cited as a god-like figure for crowds, inspiring fervent worship and sacrifice for fifteen years. ### [II: The Immediate Factors of the Opinions of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/ii-the-immediate-factors-of-the-opinions-of-crowds) Referenced implicitly in the discussion of dictators and costly experiences that demonstrate the dangers of acclaiming authoritarian leaders. ### [Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/4-reason) Cited as an example of an improbable historical figure—an obscure lieutenant of artillery who rose to reign over many peoples and kings. ### [The Leaders of Crowds and Their Means of Persuasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/iii-the-leaders-of-crowds-and-their-means-of-persuasion) Mentioned as possessing high personal prestige, both at the zenith of his glory and before becoming illustrious. ### [The Leaders of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/1-the-leaders-of-crowds) Referenced indirectly through the mention of Ney and Murat as leaders of the First Empire. ### [The Means of Action of the Leaders: Affirmation, Repetition, Contagion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/2-the-means-of-action-of-the-leaders-affirmation-repetition-contagion) Cited for his remark that repetition is the only important figure in rhetoric. ### [Prestige](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/3-prestige) Cited as a prime example of personal prestige; his early encounter with Augereau and his return from Elba illustrate his magnetic fascination over others. ### [IV: Limitations of the Variability of the Beliefs and Opinions of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/iv-limitations-of-the-variability-of-the-beliefs-and-opinions-of-crowds) Mentioned as an example of how prominent figures of the Convention later became his humble servants, illustrating the rapid shifts in crowd opinion. ### [Fixed Beliefs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/1-fixed-beliefs) Listed as a tyrant whose influence is overshadowed by the lasting despotism of religious founders. ### [The Changeable Opinions of Crowds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/2-the-changeable-opinions-of-crowds) Mentioned as an example of a leader whom former revolutionaries later served humbly. ### [Parliamentary Assemblies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/v-parliamentary-assemblies) Mentioned in the context of the power of leaders; the text notes that Napoleon understood the psychology of crowds and the importance of prestige. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/chapters/endnotes) Depicted as a great despot who treats great personages with contempt, using insults and familiar gestures to assert his prestige. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters/napoleon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crowd_se/characters