The Battle of the Nations - The Battle of Leipzig

The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of the Nations, was a pivotal battle fought from October 16th-19th, 1813, near Leipzig, Germany. The bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of the Nations shattered Napoleon's power in Germany and marked a major turning point in the French ruler’s struggle for European conquest. Until World War I, this was the largest battle in European history.

In Girl in the Glass, the site of the Battle of the Nations plays a major role. Specifically, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, a massive stone memorial built at the battlefield 100 years later. The monument, nicknamed das Völki, fulfills the second half of Declan’s prophecy, “Victory I Predict Beginning Where Napoleon Battle Ends”.

The Battle of Leipzig took place in 1813, after Napoleon retreated from his failed Russian campaign. Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812, hoping to solidify French dominance over continental Europe. According to Girl in the Glass, his real reason was to divert attention away from the Egyptian Epistolith traveling to France via Russia’s southern territory. Napoleon was defeated in Russia, mainly by a combination of harsh cold, starvation, and rampant disease, but he was successful in distracting Russian forces. The Epistolith passed through Russia uneventfully, allowing him to unite with the Epsitolith outside Leipzig, Germany. However, before Napoleon could return to France with his prized Epistolth, a coalition of European nations surrounded his forces. 

The Battle of Leipzig was a decisive defeat for Napoleon, costing him tens of thousands of casualties and effectively ending his empire east of the Rhine. This crushing defeat shifted the balance of power in Europe, paving the way for Napoleon’s enemies to invade France and force his first abdication and exile.

Map showing Coalition forces (red) circling Napoleon’s troops (blue)

Battle of Leipzig

Diorama of troops in Leipzig

Battle scene