Conspiration Des Poignards
Assassination Conspiracy Against Napoleon
CLASSIFICATION: Assassination
LOCATION
Paris, France
TIME PERIOD
October 10, 1800
VICTIMS
0 confirmed
On October 10, 1800, an alleged assassination attempt, known as the Conspiration des poignards, was made against First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte outside the Paris opera house following a performance of "Les Horaces." The plot involved several individuals, including Giuseppe Ceracchi, Joseph Diana, and Joseph Antoine Aréna, who were apprehended by police led by Joseph Fouché before they could execute their plan. The conspiracy was later portrayed as a Jacobin plot, with claims that it was manipulated by authorities through an infiltrator named Harel. Following a trial, four conspirators were sentenced to death on January 9, 1801, and executed on January 30, 1801, despite appeals. The case remains controversial among historians, with debates regarding the authenticity of the conspiracy and the role of law enforcement in its orchestration.
Theories surrounding the Conspiration des poignards include the belief that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by a group of disgruntled republicans and royalists who opposed Napoleon's regime. Some speculate that the authorities, particularly Joseph Fouché, may have exaggerated the threat to justify a crackdown on dissent. There is also speculation that the plot was not a genuine attempt on Napoleon's life but rather a fabricated story to consolidate power and instill fear among potential rivals.
The Daggers Conspiracy: A Plot to Assassinate Napoleon
In the year 1800, under the dim glow of the Parisian opera house, an alleged assassination attempt on Napoleon Bonaparte, the First Consul of France, unfolded. This event, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, is known by two names: the "Conspiration des Poignards" or the "Daggers Conspiracy" and the "Complot de l'Opéra," translated as the "Opera Plot." The plot's details remain elusive, with the alleged conspirators never clearly identified. However, authorities of the time claimed that on the evening of October 10th, during the performance of "Les Horaces," a sinister plan to murder Napoleon was thwarted by the vigilant police force led by Joseph Fouché.
The Emergence of the Plot
According to the memoirs of Fouché, the seeds of the conspiracy were sown in mid-September 1800. An individual named Harel, later identified as a conspirator, was allegedly working alongside the war commissioner, Lefebvre, to inform Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne, Napoleon's secretary, about the impending threat. Harel's revelations implicated a diverse group of plotters. Among them were Giuseppe Ceracchi, a Roman sculptor known for his role in founding the Roman Republic in 1798, and Joseph Diana, a Roman insurgent and notary. The list also included Joseph Antoine Aréna, the brother of a Corsican deputy who had previously attempted to attack Napoleon during the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire, and François Topino-Lebrun, a passionate painter and former student of the renowned Jacques-Louis David. Dominique Demerville, a former clerk of the Committee of Public Safety with close ties to Bertrand Barère de Vieuzac, rounded out the group.
The Trap Is Set
Harel, allegedly an agent provocateur, was tasked with orchestrating a trap for the conspirators. On the fateful night of October 10th, four armed men lay in wait to execute Napoleon as he exited the opera house. Yet, the police, having been forewarned, were ready. On that same evening, they managed to apprehend Diana, Ceracchi, and two other accomplices. The remaining conspirators seemingly retreated, only to be captured later in their homes.
The Question of Manipulation
To modern historians, this entire operation appears to have been a manipulation by the police, facilitated by Harel's infiltration of the conspiratorial group. The timing of this alleged conspiracy was particularly suspicious, as it occurred soon after the Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise, another failed attempt on Napoleon's life. The authorities portrayed the "Daggers Conspiracy" as a Jacobin plot, leading to a dramatic trial. The accused faced the criminal court of The Seine, where, after three intense days of debate, four conspirators were sentenced to death. This verdict was delivered late in the evening on January 9, 1801, and the executions took place on January 30, following the rejection of their appeal.
The Conspirators Unveiled
The cast of characters involved in the conspiracy was as varied as it was intriguing. Joseph Antoine Aréna, whose familial ties to previous anti-Napoleon sentiment were well-documented, played a significant part. Dominique Demerville, with his connections to Barère, brought political depth to the plot. Ceracchi, the sculptor with revolutionary credentials, and Topino-Lebrun, the patriotic artist, added a cultural dimension. Joseph Diana, despite his youth at 28, was noted for his insurgent activities, while Armand Daiteg, a 67-year-old sculptor, and Denis Lavigne, a 66-year-old trader, provided seniority. Lastly, Madeleine Fumey, either a cook or Demerville's mistress, was implicated but later discharged.
Conclusion
The Daggers Conspiracy remains a shadowy chapter in Napoleon's history, marked by questions of police manipulation and political intrigue. It underscores the volatile environment of early 19th-century France, where power struggles and assassination plots were not uncommon. Though the truth of the conspiracy may remain obscured, the story of the alleged plot to kill one of history's most formidable leaders continues to captivate and provoke debate.
Sources
For those seeking to delve deeper into the details and analyses of the Daggers Conspiracy, the following sources provide comprehensive insights:
- Pierre Marie Desmarest, Fifteen years of policing under Napoleon, Editions A. Levavasseur, 1833.
- Gustave Hue, Un Complot de police sous le Consulat, Editions Hachette, 1909.
- Adolphe Thiers, History of the Consulate and Empire, Paris, Paulin, 1847, volume II, pp. 333-334.
- Joseph Fouché, Mémoires, Paris, Red, 1824.
- Jean-Baptiste Capefigue, L'Europe during the consulate and the reign of Napoleon, Brussels, Wouters, Raspoet and Co, 1842, volume III, p. 33.
- T. Lentz, Large Consulat, 1999, p. 255, Jean Tulard, Napoleon or the myth of the savior, 1987, p. 136.
- Lewis Goldsmith, Political and diplomatic course of Napoleon Bonaparte, London, at J. Booth, volume II, 1816, pp. 123-125.
- Émile Marco de Saint-Hilaire, History of the conspiracies and the political executions, Paris, Gustave Havard, 1849, pp. 228-235.
- Jules Edouard Alboise de Pujol, Auguste Maquet, Prisons of Europe, Paris, Administration of the Bookshop, 1845, pp. 143-146, 217.
Wikipedia URL: Conspiration des poignards
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Assassination Plot Formed
A conspiracy to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte is formed, involving several key figures.
Assassination Attempt
An assassination attempt on Napoleon is thwarted by police after a performance at the opera house.
Arrests Made
Police arrest key conspirators Joseph Diana, Giuseppe Ceracchi, and two others following the thwarted assassination.
Trial Verdict
Four conspirators are condemned to death after a three-day trial in front of the criminal court of The Seine.
Executions Carried Out
The death sentences of the four conspirators are carried out after their appeal is rejected.
On October 10, 1800, an alleged assassination attempt, known as the Conspiration des poignards, was made against First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte outside the Paris opera house following a performance of "Les Horaces." The plot involved several individuals, including Giuseppe Ceracchi, Joseph Diana, and Joseph Antoine Aréna, who were apprehended by police led by Joseph Fouché before they could execute their plan. The conspiracy was later portrayed as a Jacobin plot, with claims that it was manipulated by authorities through an infiltrator named Harel. Following a trial, four conspirators were sentenced to death on January 9, 1801, and executed on January 30, 1801, despite appeals. The case remains controversial among historians, with debates regarding the authenticity of the conspiracy and the role of law enforcement in its orchestration.
Theories surrounding the Conspiration des poignards include the belief that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by a group of disgruntled republicans and royalists who opposed Napoleon's regime. Some speculate that the authorities, particularly Joseph Fouché, may have exaggerated the threat to justify a crackdown on dissent. There is also speculation that the plot was not a genuine attempt on Napoleon's life but rather a fabricated story to consolidate power and instill fear among potential rivals.
The Daggers Conspiracy: A Plot to Assassinate Napoleon
In the year 1800, under the dim glow of the Parisian opera house, an alleged assassination attempt on Napoleon Bonaparte, the First Consul of France, unfolded. This event, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, is known by two names: the "Conspiration des Poignards" or the "Daggers Conspiracy" and the "Complot de l'Opéra," translated as the "Opera Plot." The plot's details remain elusive, with the alleged conspirators never clearly identified. However, authorities of the time claimed that on the evening of October 10th, during the performance of "Les Horaces," a sinister plan to murder Napoleon was thwarted by the vigilant police force led by Joseph Fouché.
The Emergence of the Plot
According to the memoirs of Fouché, the seeds of the conspiracy were sown in mid-September 1800. An individual named Harel, later identified as a conspirator, was allegedly working alongside the war commissioner, Lefebvre, to inform Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne, Napoleon's secretary, about the impending threat. Harel's revelations implicated a diverse group of plotters. Among them were Giuseppe Ceracchi, a Roman sculptor known for his role in founding the Roman Republic in 1798, and Joseph Diana, a Roman insurgent and notary. The list also included Joseph Antoine Aréna, the brother of a Corsican deputy who had previously attempted to attack Napoleon during the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire, and François Topino-Lebrun, a passionate painter and former student of the renowned Jacques-Louis David. Dominique Demerville, a former clerk of the Committee of Public Safety with close ties to Bertrand Barère de Vieuzac, rounded out the group.
The Trap Is Set
Harel, allegedly an agent provocateur, was tasked with orchestrating a trap for the conspirators. On the fateful night of October 10th, four armed men lay in wait to execute Napoleon as he exited the opera house. Yet, the police, having been forewarned, were ready. On that same evening, they managed to apprehend Diana, Ceracchi, and two other accomplices. The remaining conspirators seemingly retreated, only to be captured later in their homes.
The Question of Manipulation
To modern historians, this entire operation appears to have been a manipulation by the police, facilitated by Harel's infiltration of the conspiratorial group. The timing of this alleged conspiracy was particularly suspicious, as it occurred soon after the Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise, another failed attempt on Napoleon's life. The authorities portrayed the "Daggers Conspiracy" as a Jacobin plot, leading to a dramatic trial. The accused faced the criminal court of The Seine, where, after three intense days of debate, four conspirators were sentenced to death. This verdict was delivered late in the evening on January 9, 1801, and the executions took place on January 30, following the rejection of their appeal.
The Conspirators Unveiled
The cast of characters involved in the conspiracy was as varied as it was intriguing. Joseph Antoine Aréna, whose familial ties to previous anti-Napoleon sentiment were well-documented, played a significant part. Dominique Demerville, with his connections to Barère, brought political depth to the plot. Ceracchi, the sculptor with revolutionary credentials, and Topino-Lebrun, the patriotic artist, added a cultural dimension. Joseph Diana, despite his youth at 28, was noted for his insurgent activities, while Armand Daiteg, a 67-year-old sculptor, and Denis Lavigne, a 66-year-old trader, provided seniority. Lastly, Madeleine Fumey, either a cook or Demerville's mistress, was implicated but later discharged.
Conclusion
The Daggers Conspiracy remains a shadowy chapter in Napoleon's history, marked by questions of police manipulation and political intrigue. It underscores the volatile environment of early 19th-century France, where power struggles and assassination plots were not uncommon. Though the truth of the conspiracy may remain obscured, the story of the alleged plot to kill one of history's most formidable leaders continues to captivate and provoke debate.
Sources
For those seeking to delve deeper into the details and analyses of the Daggers Conspiracy, the following sources provide comprehensive insights:
- Pierre Marie Desmarest, Fifteen years of policing under Napoleon, Editions A. Levavasseur, 1833.
- Gustave Hue, Un Complot de police sous le Consulat, Editions Hachette, 1909.
- Adolphe Thiers, History of the Consulate and Empire, Paris, Paulin, 1847, volume II, pp. 333-334.
- Joseph Fouché, Mémoires, Paris, Red, 1824.
- Jean-Baptiste Capefigue, L'Europe during the consulate and the reign of Napoleon, Brussels, Wouters, Raspoet and Co, 1842, volume III, p. 33.
- T. Lentz, Large Consulat, 1999, p. 255, Jean Tulard, Napoleon or the myth of the savior, 1987, p. 136.
- Lewis Goldsmith, Political and diplomatic course of Napoleon Bonaparte, London, at J. Booth, volume II, 1816, pp. 123-125.
- Émile Marco de Saint-Hilaire, History of the conspiracies and the political executions, Paris, Gustave Havard, 1849, pp. 228-235.
- Jules Edouard Alboise de Pujol, Auguste Maquet, Prisons of Europe, Paris, Administration of the Bookshop, 1845, pp. 143-146, 217.
Wikipedia URL: Conspiration des poignards
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Assassination Plot Formed
A conspiracy to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte is formed, involving several key figures.
Assassination Attempt
An assassination attempt on Napoleon is thwarted by police after a performance at the opera house.
Arrests Made
Police arrest key conspirators Joseph Diana, Giuseppe Ceracchi, and two others following the thwarted assassination.
Trial Verdict
Four conspirators are condemned to death after a three-day trial in front of the criminal court of The Seine.
Executions Carried Out
The death sentences of the four conspirators are carried out after their appeal is rejected.