Joseph Bara
Joseph Bara , also Barra (born July 30, 1779 in Palaiseau , † December 7, 1793 in Jallais ) was a young French republican soldier (drummer) during the time of the French Revolution .
Life, death and legend
Joseph Bara was actually too young to join the army. He joined an army unit in the Vendée department of his own accord , which fought against counter-revolutionary troops. After his death, General J.-B. Desmarres to Congress: "Yesterday, when this courageous boy was surrounded by enemy troops, he decided to die rather than give the enemy the two horses he was leading".
The death of Joseph Bara was exploited by Maximilien de Robespierre for propaganda purposes by praising him in front of the National Convention and saying: "Only the French have 13-year-old heroes". Joseph Bara was a victim of members of the Chouannerie who simply wanted to steal horses, but was exploited and hyped up as a symbol of resistance that rejected the Ancien Régime at the cost of his life. The legend has been constructed that he was captured by the enemy and forced to shout "Vive le Roi" (Long live the King) in order to save his life. Instead, however, he is said to have shouted "Vive la République" (Long live the Republic), which cost him his life.
His remains were to be transferred to the Panthéon in Paris as part of a ceremony in his honor . But that didn't happen because Maximilien de Robespierre was overthrown the day before.
Honors
Joseph Bara was immortalized in numerous paintings, statues and busts, including by such well-known artists as Jacques-Louis David , David d'Angers , Jean-Joseph Weerts , Charles Moreau-Vauthier and the Manufacture royale de porcelaine de Sèvres . In addition, a street in Paris and a ship of the French Navy (launched in 1794) were named after him. A statue was erected for him in his birthplace in Palaiseau .
Individual evidence
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Bara, Joseph |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | French Republican soldier |
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 30, 1779 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Palaiseau |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 7, 1793 |
| Place of death | Jallais |