Why did Napoleon lose so many battles, despite being a great general?

Napoleon Bonaparte often regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history, experienced defeats in battles despite his military prowess for several reasons:

Overextension: Napoleon's ambitious military campaigns often led to overextension of his forces. He engaged in numerous campaigns simultaneously across Europe, stretching his military resources and logistics thin. This made it challenging to maintain supply lines, communication, and control over vast territories.

Coalition Warfare: Napoleon faced coalitions of European powers determined to resist French expansionism. These coalitions, comprising various European nations, united against Napoleon's forces, making it difficult for him to achieve decisive victories on multiple fronts simultaneously.

Guerrilla Warfare: In Spain and Portugal, Napoleon's armies faced effective guerrilla warfare tactics employed by local resistance forces, which disrupted French supply lines, communications, and morale. The Peninsular War, in particular, tied down significant French forces for several years and drained French resources.

Logistical Challenges: Napoleon's military campaigns often faced logistical challenges, including inadequate supply lines, harsh weather conditions, and difficulties in maintaining troop morale over extended campaigns. These logistical difficulties hampered his ability to sustain prolonged military operations successfully.

Strategic Mistakes: Despite his military brilliance, Napoleon made strategic errors in certain battles and campaigns. For example, his decision to invade Russia in 1812 proved disastrous due to factors such as the vast distances, harsh winter conditions, and the Russian military's scorched-earth tactics, which ultimately led to the catastrophic defeat of the Grande Armée.

Adversaries' Adaptability: Napoleon's adversaries, particularly the British under the leadership of the Duke of Wellington, demonstrated adaptability in their military tactics and strategies. Wellington's defensive tactics and skilful use of terrain played a crucial role in defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

While Napoleon achieved numerous victories and established a vast empire across Europe, his military setbacks and eventual downfall highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in waging large-scale military campaigns over extended periods. Despite his tactical brilliance, Napoleon faced formidable adversaries, logistical constraints, and strategic miscalculations that contributed to his defeats in battles.