The Republican French were active in the export of revolution, and in 1796-1800 Napoleon saw that the inhabitants of northern Italy were ripe for conversion to the cause. French victories in 1798 and 1800 secured his hold on the area, and he at once began reorganising the many small states which then made up the territory of Italy into units more suitable for his military and dynastic ambitions. Otto von Pivka explores the organisation, history and uniforms of the Italian troops who fought under the Emperor during the Napoleonic Wars.
