法國大革命標誌著法國甚或歐洲歷史之新頁，專制王權從此趨於沒落，共和體制也由是興起，而革命期間殞命於斷頭臺的法國國王路易十六，嘗為史家視為波旁王朝衰微之庸君亦不吝於撻伐。實則，路易十六為人寡言勤政、儉樸務實更好讀書，惟以幼受排撻，命運多舛，於乃祖法王路易十五遽逝之際竟以弱冠之齡倉促登基，政事未明又值民生凋敝國祚日衰之期，終至無力回天而年未及不惑竟被殺身之禍，史稱殉身之君。

Since French Revolution singified the new phase of French or European history, the despotism declined and the republican regime uprose. During the Revolution, King Louis XVI was beheaded and regarded as a foolish and incompetent king to cause the wane of dynasty the Bourbons, and severely critized by the historians. In fact, King Louis XVI who was calm and quiet and loved reading and simple lifestyle ruled his country with love and concern. However, he, a victim of misfortune and fate since childhood, was enthroned at the age of twenty years old after the sudden death of his grandfather, King Louis XV. The political instability and social disorder caused the deterioration and downfall of the kingdom and the demise of Louis XVI, who was called Le Roi-martyr by the historians.