Born in Corsica Napoleone Buonaparte to an ethnic Italian noble separatist family, Napoleon was known for his ambition, opportunism, and impact on the history of Europe.In the right place at the right time during the French Revolution, as a general he led France to victories over its enemies. By coup d'etat he achieved the rank of First Consul of the French Republic and dissolved the assembly. He then began to conquer most of Europe. He crowned himself Emperor and established a new rule of law for the French state, the Code Napoleon, which still stands today.After a disastrous invasion of Russia, he was deposed and exiled to the island of Elba. He escaped, reestablished his rule, then fought and lost the battle of Waterloo. He was then exiled to the Island of St. Helena as a British prisoner, where he died in 1821.