Histoire de la Révolution française, Tome 10

Bonaparte reaches Toulon in early May 1798, greeted by an army still haunted by recent defeats yet eager for fresh purpose. In a stirring address he reminds the soldiers of ancient Roman legions, urging unity and bravery as they prepare for a campaign beyond the familiar battlefields of Europe. His words turn the vague notion of a distant war into a rallying call that ignites the troops’ confidence.

The French fleet that sails under his command is unprecedented in size—thirteen ships of the line, dozens of frigates, corvettes and transport vessels, carrying roughly fifty‑thousand men and enough provisions for weeks at sea. Their first objective is the strategic island of Malta, whose capture would secure control of Mediterranean routes and pave the way for the planned invasion of Egypt. As the armada departs amid cannon fire and cheers, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, hinting at the grand, uncertain enterprise that lies ahead.