Final answer:
Napoleon's self-coronation was a symbolic act designed to legitimize his reign through historical references to Ancient Rome, Charlemagne, and the Merovingian kings, while emphasizing his personal merit and authority as an emperor aligned with revolutionary ideals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The self-coronation of Napoleon was deeply symbolic of his own conception of power and legitimacy. By crowning himself Emperor of France in 1804, Napoleon sought to establish his rule as both a continuation and a culmination of the revolutionary changes in France. He attempted to draw upon historical legitimacy by reaching back to Ancient Rome and engaging with the symbolism of Charlemagne and the Merovingian kings. Napoleon's attire, the Roman tunic, and his adoption of bees as his personal symbol, linked him to past sovereigns and traditions, forging an ideological, if not genealogical, lineage. This act was a visual representation of his authority, conveying that he was a ruler by his own merit and not by the sanction of others, such as the church or the Bourbons.
In fact, the coronation painting by Jacques-Louis David captures Napoleon holding the crown above his own head, poised to place it upon himself, a gesture underscoring his self-anointment and direct claim to power. This moment encapsulated his belief in his unique destiny as a leader who stands apart from traditional hierarchies. As an emperor, Napoleon projected an image of power, stability, and continuity with the great empire builders of the past, while simultaneously embodying the revolutionary ideals of meritocracy and the overthrow of the old order.