Napoleon Bonaparte rose from an artillery officer during the French Revolution to become Emperor of the French. He is widely considered one of the greatest military commanders in history, having won the majority of his 60 battles. His 'Grande Armée' conquered much of Europe, but his most lasting legacy is the Napoleonic Code. This civil law system abolished feudalism, established religious freedom, and standardized laws across Europe. It became the foundation for the legal systems of over 40 countries. Though he was eventually defeated at Waterloo and exiled to Saint Helena, Napoleon's influence persisted through the spread of nationalism and liberal reforms. He centralized the French government, reformed the education system, and established the Bank of France. His life remains a paradox of enlightened reform and aggressive imperial ambition, fundamentally reshaping the political map of the 19th-century world.