Summary

Medal Rupture du Traite de Presbourge et Batailles d'Abensberg et d'Eckmuhl 'Battles of Abensberg & Eckmuhl', Issued by Napoleon Bonaparte (Emperor Napoleon I), France, 1809
Artist: Bertrand Andrieu and Nicholas Guy Antoine Brenet
Minted by Paris Mint

Obverse Description

Napoleon head laureate standing full length in Roman armour, his arms stretched out pointing towards military trophies at left and right; above, . ABENSBERG * ECKMUHL.; in small leterring near rim at base of trophies, DENON D. BRENET F. in exergue, BATAILLES DES XX. ET XXII. AVRIL / MDCCCIX. / XL.M. PRISONNIERS.

Reverse Description

The temple of Janus with the bust of Janus Quadriformis on it's roof, the door is broken, the ruins of which lie scattered on the steps; above the door, TEMPLVM. JANI; at suides near rim in small lettering, ANDRIEU F. DENON DIR.; in exergue, TRAITE DE PRESBOURG / ROMPU PAR L'AUTRICHE / IX AVRIL MDCCCIX.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

In ancient Roman tradition, the door of the temple of Janus was closed when there was peace throughout the Empire. In 1805 the signing of the Peace of Presburg was commemorated with the issue of a medal depicting the temple with it's doors closed. This medal repeats the image of the temple, now with it's doors broken, refering to the breaking of of the peace of Presbourg by the Austrians in 1809.

"The French Emperor, on the 20th of April, attacked and totally defeated the corps of the Archduke Louis and General Wibler, at Abensberg. He led on in person the troops of Bavaria and Wurtemberg. The Dukes of Auerstadt, Rivoli, Dantzic, and Montebello attacking the left of the Austrians, bore down all before them, and greatly contributed to the victory. The Austrians were defeated, with the loss of eight standards, twelve pieces of cannon, and 18,000 prisoners. Napoleon, without losing a moment of time, advanced to Landshut, which was now left uncovered. The Duke of Istria overwhelmed the Austrian cavalry, which were drawn up for the defence of the place. Landshut was stormed and carried by General Motrten and the Duke of Rivoli, and 9000 prisoners, with thirty pieces of cannon, 600 caissons, and 3000 baggage waggons were taken. On the 22nd, the French Emperor attacked the Austrian Generalissimo, the Archduke Charles, who, with an army of 110,000 men, was posted at Eckmuhl. The Dukes of Montebello, Auerstadt, and Dantzick, and General Mouton, attacked the Austrians at all points, and drove them from their position. They retired in the night, and left all their wounded, a great part of their artillery, and 20,000 prisoners, in the hands of the French, who, without loss of time, marched to Ratisbon, and carried that city by assault. In this battle, the French Emperor experienced a striking instance of that good fortune by which he had ever been attended, a cannon ball grazed the heel of his boot, without doing him the smallest injury. " Laskey p.161

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