Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)

The Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy (Italian: Regno d'Italia, but also Regno Italico) was a kingdom founded in Italy by Napoleon, in 1805. The kingdom ended in 1814, with the defeat of Napoleon.

The Kingdom of Italy was born on 17 March 1805. On that day, the Italian Republic, whose president was Napoleon, become Kingdom of Italy, with Napoleon as King of Italy and Eugène de Beauharnais viceroy. Napoleon was crowned in Milan's cathedral, on 26 May 1805, with the Iron Crown of Lombardy.

The Kingdom consisted of Lombardy, Venetia, Duchy of Modena, part of Papal States (Ancona, the remaining part with Rome had been annexed to French Empire), part of Kingdom of Sardinia, South Tyrol.

Napoleon abdicated on 11 April 1814. Eugène tried to become king of Italy, but the opposition of the Senate of the Kingdom and Milan insurrection (20 April 1814) failed his plan: Eugène was exiled by the Austrians, who occupied Milan.

Army of the Kingdom of Italy

Infantry:

• line infantry: five regiments from the Italian Republic, plus other two raised in 1805 and 1808
• light infantry: three regiments from the Italian Republic, plus another one raised in 1811
• Royal Guard: two battalions from the Italian Republic (Granatieri and Cacciatori), plus other two (Velites) raised in 1806, plus two battalions of young guard raised in 1810, and other two raised in 1811

Cavalry:

• dragoons: two regiments from the Italian Republic
• Cacciatori a Cavallo (light horse): one regiment from the Italian Republic, plus other three raised in 1808, 1810 and 1811
• Royal Guard: two squadrons of dragoons, five companies of Guards of Honour

The army of the kingdom, inserted into the Grande Armée, took part to all Napoleon's campaigns. Living for 17 years, the Italian Republic/Kingdom of Italy army had enlisted over 200,000 men and lost about 125,000.

See also Historical states of Italy.