The Napoleonic Era

Many Armenians enlisted in Napoleon’s army when the French general was in Egypt. Subsequently, no major battle of the Napoleonic era occurred without Napoleon throwing his brave Armenians (Anania, Big Azaria, Small Azaria, Petros, Hakop, Shaken, and Baghdasar) in the very midst of the action. Napoleon treated them very kindly by bestowing decorations, pensions, fine uniforms and comfortable barracks in Melun, 60 km west of Paris. One of the Armenians (Roustam) became Napoleon’s personal bodyguard.  Knowing that Napoleon was well disposed towards Armenians, the latter repeatedly appealed to him to support the independence of Armenia. 

Many Armenians enlisted in Napoleon’s army when the French general was in Egypt. Subsequently, no major battle of the Napoleonic era occurred without Napoleon throwing his brave Armenians (Anania, Big Azaria, Small Azaria, Petros, Hakop, Shaken, and Baghdasar) in the very midst of the action. Napoleon treated them very kindly by bestowing decorations, pensions, fine uniforms and comfortable barracks in Melun, 60 km west of Paris. One of the Armenians (Roustam) became Napoleon’s personal bodyguard.  Knowing that Napoleon was well disposed towards Armenians, the latter repeatedly appealed to him to support the independence of Armenia.