France, Napoleon I Bonaparte. Bronze medal commemorating the surrender of Mantua, 1797
- KOD: 4607124RMA
France, Napoleon I Bonaparte. Bronze medal commemorating the surrender of Mantua, 1797, Hennin 782, Bronze 35 mm, weight 21,56 g., Condition aUNC, beautiful brown patina with luster.
During the siege of Mantua, which lasted from 4 July 1796 to 2 February 1797 with a short break, French forces under the overall command of Napoleon Bonaparte besieged and blockaded a large Austrian garrison at Mantua for many months until it surrendered. This eventual surrender, together with the heavy losses incurred during four unsuccessful relief attempts, led indirectly to the Austrians suing for peace in 1797. The siege occurred during the War of the First Coalition, which is part of the French Revolutionary Wars. Mantua, a city in the Lombardy region of Italy, lies on the Mincio River (source: wikipedia).
The Italian Campaign 1796 - 1797 was directed against Austria and its allies; e.g., the Kingdom of Sardinia in northern "Italy" The goal of the campaign was to capture Austrian possessions on the Apennine Peninsula. Many battles were fought during the Campaign, including at Lodi May 1796 with the Austrian army, at Arcole (15-17.11.1796) with Austria, at Lake Garda (January 1797) with Austria. France gained. Piedmont (part of the Kingdom of Sardinia) in April 1796, Milan (Lombardy) in May 1796, Venice, Mantua and Trieste in 1797. The Campaign culminated in peace treaties and treaties, 1796 - in Paris with the Kingdom of Sardinia, 1797 - peace in Tolentino with Pope Pius VI (Church State), 18.04.1797 - treaty in Loeben with Austria, 17.10.1797 - peace in Campo Formio with Austria.