Napoleon, the French Emperor who conquered most of Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, admired the Roman people. In 1806, following their example, he decided to build the Arc de Triomphe. Napoleon never finished his project as he was defeated by General Wellington at Waterloo in 1815. The structure was completed in 1836 and keeps the memory of all the dead killed in World War I with the grave of the unknown soldier entombed within.