Notes to Aqdas, Sentence #212
Notes from the Authorized Translation
118. the one whose power transcended thy power,
and whose station excelled thy station # 86
This is a reference to Napoleon III (1808-1873), the
Emperor of the French, who was regarded by many
historians as the most outstanding monarch of his day in the
West.
Baha'u'llah addressed two Tablets to Napoleon III, in
the second of which He clearly prophesied that Napoleon's
kingdom would be "thrown into confusion", that his "empire
shall pass" from his hands, and that his people would
experience great "commotions".
Within a year, Napoleon III suffered a resounding
defeat, at the hands of Kaiser William I, at the Battle of
Sedan in 1870. He went in exile to England, where he died
three years later.
Earl Elder's Notes
2. Probably this is a reference to Napoleon III of France, who was defeated by Germany in 1870, was deposed, and died in 1873. The Tablet or letter which Baha'u'llah sent to Napoleon
III is described by E.G. Browne in JRAS., 1889, p.967 f. It seems that Baha'u'llah had informed Napoleon III of the way that the Turkish government had treated him, perhaps hoping
that help would be given him. Napoleon III as head of the French government claimed to be the protector of the Christians in Turkey, but apparently did nothing to help Baha'u'llah.
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