Foods That Made History: The Big Names Behind the World’s Favorite Dishes by Rafael Agam

Author:Rafael Agam [Agam, Rafael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-01T22:00:00+00:00

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Sole Murat

The “Sole” of a warrior

In all historical situations where a society undergoes tremendous political and military upheavals, individuals tend to appear who are seen by some as heroes, and by others as traitors. Such a one was Joachim Murat (1767-1815), who rose to greatness as a loyal follower of Napoleon – some say, because of his courage and military ability; others, because of his megalomaniac ego. One thing is certain: Murat’s chef, Dartois Laguipière (1750-1812), admired him intensely. Not only did he give Murat’s name to his special recipe for sole; he died in Murat’s service, during the French Grand Army’s retreat from Russia.

Joachim Murat began his military career at the age of 20, running away from a seminary to enlist. He rapidly gained promotion. A fervent Jacobin and revolutionary, he assisted Napoleon in putting down a Royalist uprising (the revolt of 13 Vendémiaire) in Paris in 1795, bringing desperately needed cannons from a distant military base outside of Government control. From this moment onward, Murat’s and Napoleon’s careers were closely linked. Murat was promoted to colonel and took part in Napoleon’s sensationally successful campaigns against the Austrians in Italy, rising to the rank of general. In 1798, Murat was commander of the cavalry in Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt, which eventually failed, following the defeat of the French navy at the Battle of Aboukir Bay (sometimes called the Battle of the Nile). Murat was among the most loyal of Napoleon’s officers. His brilliance as a cavalry commander was an important factor in many of Napoleon’s most spectacular victories; thus, Murat played a key part in Napoleon’s meteoric rise to popularity and power.

Murat’s detractors said of him: “He is more committed to gambling than to his mistresses, and more interested in good food than in France”. Napoleon was fully aware of Murat’s weaknesses, and of his generals’ tendency to enrich themselves personally, at the State’s expense. His comment was: “Murat does not steal more than any other of my generals – and at least, he spends the money with style”. In 1799, Napoleon effectively assumed supreme power in France, with the title of “First Consul”. A year or so later, Murat met Napoleon’s younger sister Caroline. Soon after, he married her, thus becoming brother-in-law to his commander-in-chief and Head of State.

In 1805, Napoleon crowned himself “Emperor of France”. On his brother-in-law Murat, he bestowed the titles: “Marshal of France” and “First Horseman of Europe”. In 1805, Napoleon was crowned King of Italy, and Murat was made “Prince of the Empire” and “Grand Duke”. In 1808, Murat was crowned “King of Naples and Sicily”. His reign was one of sweeping social reforms. The existing class system was swept aside, and the middle class gained greatly in power and influence. At every possible opportunity, Murat called for the unification of Italy. The idea, however, did not receive much support from the various nations of the region; most people did not believe that the time was yet ripe for such a drastic step.

In 1812, Napoleon set out on his fateful invasion of Russia, taking Murat with him.

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