Hello bug lovers! Today is the first part in a multi-part series that will focus on the history of Napoleon Bonaparte and his very special interactions with insects and the pathogens they may harbor. This is a labor of love from host Michael Skvarla and this first episode is a prelude of sorts. Tune in to learn about the context in which Napoleon ascends to power, thus being informed for the future episodes that will have more entomology flavor to them.  Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1792,  aged 23, as lieutenant-colonel of a battalion of Corsican Republican volunteers, by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux. Show notes and images James Gillray's policital cartoons helped cement the image of Napoleon as a short, angry man in the public imagination. Shown here is "Maniac-raving's-or-Little Boney in a strong fit", which is characteristic of Gillray's depictions of Napoleon. Portrait of King Louis XVI by Antoine-François Callet. The regional Parlements in 1789. Note the extreme differences in size between the various Parlements. Opening of the Estates General on May 5, 1789 in the Grands Salles des Menus-Plaisirs in Versailles The storming of the Bastille, an important turning point during the French Revolution. By Jean-Pierre Houël. King Louis XVI and his family, dressed as bourgeois, arrested during the Flight to Varrens. By Thomas Falcon Marshall. Bonaparte at the Siege of Toulon, 1793, by Édouard Detaille. Napoleon quelling of the Royalist revolt of 13 Vendémiaire using well-placed cannon fire and a "whiff of grapeshot". By Charles Monnet. Napoleon at the Battle of Rivoli, one of the most important battles during the Italian campaign. Painting by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux, 1845. Questions? Comments? Follow the show on Twitter @Arthro_PodshowFollow the hosts on Twitter @bugmanjon, @JodyBugsmeUNL, and @MSkvarla36Get the show through Apple Podcasts!Subscribe to our feed on Feedburner!   We're also on Stitcher! This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Beginning/ending theme: "There It Is" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0