 | GenghisTheHun (171)
03/17/2006 | No, I wasn't at the Battle of Marengo, but I didn't know that was a qualification to be able to speak about it. (Some might say that I am old enough to have been there!)
This important battle took place June 14, 1800. Napoleon had crossed the Alps, Hannibal style, at great risk and outflanked the Austrians. However, Naploleon was suprised by an Austrian attack at Marengo in the Piedmont area of northern Italy.
The Austrians had an initial success, but French reinforcements carried the day for Napoleon. The result of the battle was that France acquired much of Italy.
You opera buffs who have seen Puccini's "Tosca" might remember how at first the players were celebrating the "defeat" of Napoleon at Marengo, but later in the opera, the truth became known.
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