1-156-603 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Napoleon in Egypt, 1799. In 1798, wary of Napoleon's (1769-1821) growing popularity in France, the revolutionary government sent him to Egypt on a campaign aimed at disrupting British trade with India. After defeating the Mamelukes, Napoleon returned to France in 1799, instigated a coup d'etat and proclaimed himself First Consul; ruler and military dictator.