March 2, 1767 ((La bastide tunière, today La bastide-murat) - October 13, 1815 (Le Pizzo, kingdom of Naples)
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- Murat, Joachim, prince
Son of an innkeeper, a seminarian in Cahors, Murat escaped the ecclesiastical career thanks to a quarrel with a comrade which earned him his dismissal. He then enlisted in February 1787 as a rider in 1 Chasseurs des Ardennes. The Revolution and the war offered him the opportunity for a speedy career. Maréchal des logis in May 1792, he was already a lieutenant in mid-October, manifested extremist opinions, denounced his most respected comrades, planned to transform his name into Marat after the assassination of his idol After the fall of Robespierre, the protection de Cavaignac saved him from prosecution and the 13-Vendérniaire put him back in the saddle:as he succeeded in bringing back 4 guns from the Sablons plain, to Neuilly, to the Tuileries, Bonaparte had him appointed chief of brigade.
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- Arms of Murat
Murat becomes Corsica's first aide-de-camp and thus finds a new idol to adore who will facilitate a compromised career for him. His courage bordering on recklessness distinguished him both in Italy and in Egypt. Appointed general of division on the battlefield of Aboukir, on July 25, 1799, he embarked with Bonaparte and took a considerable part in the coup d'etat of Brumaire. Appointed commander of the consular guard, Murat married the sister of the First Consul, Caroline, on January 20, 1800, and thus entered the Bonaparte clan.
His courage at Marengo earned him a bonIleur's sword. The Empire covers him with titles:Marshal, Grand Admiral and Prince. After A Brilliant German Campaign in 1805, Murat became Grand Duke of Berg and Cleves. In 1807, his charge brought the decision to Eylau. Lieutenant General of the Kingdom in Spain alongside King Joseph, Murat succeeded in replacing him as King of Naples on July 15, 1808. From then on, he would practice his own policy, try to save his throne when the Empire wavered. He fought the Russian campaign with panache, but abandoned the routed army at the beginning of 1813 to return to Naples and begin negotiations with England and Austria. However, he answered the call of his brother-in-law and commanded the cavalry in Saxony in 1813. Napoleon not having wanted to cede the kingdom of Italy to him, he allied himself with Austria on January 11, 1814. Bourbons demanding to recover the throne of Naples, Murat rallied to Napoleon during the Hundred Days, was beaten at Tolentino (May 2, 1815) and ended up shot after landing on the Calabrian coast. Napoleon recognized his bravery but "little light" and an "extreme vacillation and exaltation".