The Battle of Lepanto

The Battle of Lepanto was a struggle for control of the Mediterranean between the Holy League, bringing together the Papal States, Spain and the Republic of Venice, and the mighty Ottoman Empire. This 1571 conflict remains one of the largest naval battles of all time, and was a decisive moment in European history. The unexpected victory of the Holy League put an end to Ottoman expansionism and marked a period of reduced violence between East and West, as both sides seemed reluctant to provoke further conflict. In just 50 minutes, you will learn about the background to the battle, including the capture of Cyprus and Pope Pius V‘s decision to form the Holy League, and understand how the Christian fleet was able to secure victory against the odds.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough evaluation of the preparations and strategies of both sides and the far-reaching consequences of the battle. It also features biographies of key commanders and leaders, including Don Juan of Austria and Ali Pasha, a valuable introduction to the social and political context and an evaluation of the battle’s short- and long-term consequences, giving you all the essential information about this momentous episode.

About the Battle of Lepanto

The Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571 off the port of Lepanto, in what is now Greece. The conflict was a response to constant Ottoman expansionism and escalating attacks against the Christian West, and was triggered by the seizure of Cyprus one year earlier. The Ottoman fleet was made up of seasoned fighters who had proven their effectiveness at sea, but in spite of their skill and overwhelming numerical superiority, they were defeated and saw many of their ships destroyed by the Christian side.

This clear and accessible 37-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to the Battle of Lepanto
• Political and social context
  • The fight for control of the Mediterranean
  • The capture of Cyprus: the trigger of the battle
  • Pope Pius V and the Holy League
• Commanders and leaders
  • Don Juan of Austria, Spanish Grand Admiral
  • Uluj (or Uluç) Ali, Ottoman Admiral
• Analysis of the battle
  • Before the battle: Christian tensions…
  • …and Muslim defections
  • A surprising meeting
  • In the north: the opening of hostilities
  • In the center: the meeting of the champions
  • In the south: Uluj Ali’s strategy
  • The outcome of the battle
• Impact of the Battle of Lepanto
  • Divisions within the Holy League
  • The end of Ottoman expansionism
• Summary