I don't understand your question. What role did they play in what exactly? I could be able to help you if I knew what you were referring to.
Answer:
After a number of victories, France became very important in continental Europe. Napoleon increased his power by making many alliances. He also made his friends and family members rule other European countries as French client states. The French invasion of Russia in 1812 became Napoleon's first big defeat. sorry if it's wrong.
The answer is 1501 AD - 1600 AD