18 Brumaire of year VIII. At the invitation of Sieyès, Bonaparte returns to Paris and seizes power. The directory is abolished and three consuls appointed, Bonaparte, Sieyès and Pierre-Roger Ducos. Bonaparte is 30 years old. Soon he will be made consul for life, then Emperor.
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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 02 March 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=4315, accessed 09 June 2026.]

