Joachim Murat
Joachim-Napoléon Murat (born Joachim Murat; 25 March 1767 – 13 October 1815) was the King of Naples from 1808 to 1815, the brother-in-law and one of the Marshals of the Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte, and a famous cavalry general of France during the Napoleonic Wars.
Biography
Murat was born to innkeepers in 1767. He was initially destined for a position within the clergy, but decided to enlist in the army, going against his father's wishes. When Napoleon Bonaparte was in charge of crushing the royalist insurrection on 13 Vendémiaire, Murat was instrumental in acquiring cannons for the officer. Due to this, he became a trusted lieutenant of Napoleon.
While fighting Chouans in Paris, Murat contacted the Assassin Arno Dorian in Les Invalides. Preparing to lead an assault on a Chouan position, he instructed Arno to infiltrate the position and spike the cannon. Following Murat's instructions, Arno blew up one of the cannons to signal the assault. Murat was eventually made Napoleon's aide-de-camp, before becoming a general. In 1800, Murat married Napoleon's sister, Caroline.
After the foundation of the First French Empire, Murat was appointed Marshal of the Empire, as well as King of Naples after Napoleon had conquered much of Europe. Following this, his relations with his superior became increasingly uneasy. After being defeated by the Austrians on 2 May 1815, Murat was executed by firing squad on 13 October that year.
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