Napoleon exhibition in Warsaw: the long and the short of it

On show are exhibits on loan from France. They include personal items, uniforms, weapons, decorations, furniture and documents on various aspects of Napoleon's life.

Also on show are items highlighting the links between Napoleon and Poles, who hoped he would help their country regain independence at a time when Poland was partitioned between its neighbours.

The exhibition could help debunk a myth or two about Napoleon (1769-1821).

For instance, the phrase "Napoleon complex" -- used to refer to people who like to display their power to make up for their short height and feelings of inferiority -- appears to be off the mark.

Dariusz Nawrot, a historian from the University of Silesia in southern Poland, said that people often think of Napoleon as "a small politician with great aspirations."

Nawrot added: "Historians have precisely calculated that Napoleon was 168.7 cm [5 feet, 6 inches] tall. In terms of the standards of the day, he was a person of average to above average height. The average 20-year-old private in the French army was a man 164-165 cm tall.”

(pk/gs)

Source: PAP