Which French marshal became King of Naples?

Joachim Murat was the French marshal who became King of Naples. Napoleon appointed him to the Neapolitan throne in 1808, and he ruled as Joachim-Napoleon until 1815.

Murat rose from a cavalry officer during the French Revolution to become one of Napoleon’s most spectacular commanders. He was made Marshal of the Empire in 1804 and became famous for leading huge cavalry charges at battles such as Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau, and Borodino. His flamboyant uniforms and fearless style earned him the title “First Horseman of Europe.”

Murat was also Napoleon’s brother-in-law: in 1800 he married Caroline Bonaparte, Napoleon’s younger sister. Before becoming king, he served as Grand Duke of Berg and was involved in Napoleon’s campaigns across Europe. As ruler of Naples, he tried to balance loyalty to Napoleon with the survival of his own throne.

He ultimately abandoned Napoleon after the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, but returned to war in 1815 against Austria. Defeated at Tolentino, Murat was captured and executed by firing squad at Pizzo on 13 October 1815. Joseph Bonaparte, another of Napoleon’s brothers, had ruled Naples before Murat.