Völkerschlacht

Völkerschlacht, the Battle of the Nations, fought 16-19 October 1813 in the neighbourhood of Leipzig between the French and supporting forces under Napoleon and the combined Austrian, Prussian, and Russian armies. Involving almost 500, 000 men, it is said to be the largest battle known in history up to that time. It ended in the defeat of Napoleon (see Napoleonic Wars), and is commemorated by a massive monument, the Völkerschlachtsdenkmal, built 1898-1913.