Final answer:
Napoleon built his reputation through his revolutionary military success and legal reforms like the Napoleonic Code. However, his autocratic rule and manipulation of art and propaganda show a darker side of his legacy, with certain actions demonstrating that he was not always a hero.
Step-by-step explanation:
Napoleon Bonaparte was a complex figure who managed to build up his reputation as a national hero through various means. Initially, he was a champion of the French Revolution, rising to fame by taking advantage of opportunities provided by the revolutionary armies. His military campaigns helped spread revolutionary ideals across Europe, challenging the established nobility and promoting legal equality. The Napoleonic Code is one of his enduring legacies, reflecting these principles.
However, Napoleon's approach to power was often at odds with his revolutionary principles. He demonstrated a propensity for autocracy, appointing family members to rule conquered regions and managing his empire with little trust extended beyond a close circle. His relentless pursuit of personal power often contradicted the democratic aspirations of the Revolution, marking him as a megalomaniac in the eyes of some historians.
Notoriously, Napoleon was also adept at using art and propaganda to craft his public image. Artist Jacques-Louis David's 'Napoleon Crossing the Alps' is a prime example of how Napoleon curated a depiction of himself as a heroic leader akin to historical figures like Hannibal and Charlemagne, despite the reality of his Alpine crossing being far less grandiose. This manipulation of his image and disregard for human life—such as the death orders for prisoners and the poisoning of plague-suffering troops—further tarnishes the perception of Napoleon as a hero.