October 7, 1571-The Battle of Lepanto The Battle of Lepanto was widely considered "the greatest naval battle of all time," and William Faulkner once said
"The past is never dead, on the contrary: it is not not even past. " Selgucidi The Turks come from the Far East and between the twelfth and fourteenth century conquered the whole Middle East and those people are converted to the Islamic religion, which become the leading proponent and fundamentalists. All their subsequent achievements are made in the name of that religion, so that it becomes synonymous with turkish. Michele Ghisleri, the Grand Inquisitor, was elected pope January 7, 1566 and is recognized as a Pope intrasigente permeated by strict Catholic. Banned from Rome, the corrupt, the pimps, the courtesans, profiteers, abolished the carnival, elected to enforce the marriage and flogging for adultery. In Venice he was an altar in the chapel dedicated to him in the Dominican church of SS Giovanni e San Paolo, near the door of the chapel dedicated to the biggest victory of Lepanto, now called "Chapel of the Rosary."
BATTLE
dawn on October 7, 1571 the Christian army was already on its way, the ships rather than dispersed by the wind and rough sea, when you caught a glimpse of the sails of ships Muslim.
While the fleet is slowly forwarding, Don Juan sent a pilot exploration of the island from a hill that Oxia counted 250 enemy sails, but the pilot had to don Juan a story secretive for fear of depressing at first, the young master ' imminent and inevitable battle. The wind favored the ship of Ali, but suddenly stopped and the sea became calm. The Turks lower the sails useless with a rapid and simultaneous operation, that Christians admired. (Continued)
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The Battle of Lepanto October 7, 1571
Dr. Peter Vitale
(journalist and writer)
the main protagonists
All the news all the time is near match to celebrate this great battle as that of Christianity over the Turks, but is much more just call it as the battle of Christianity against Islam.
Selgucidi The Turks, in fact, come from the far east and conquered the whole Middle East at the turn of centuries XII - XIV and those people are converted to the religion Islam, which become the leading proponent and fundamentalists. All their subsequent achievements are made in the name of that religion, so that it becomes synonymous with turkish.
In the sixteenth century for "turkish" means all Arabic speaking countries - Islam: the far west of Gibraltar at the western end of the Arabian Peninsula, from southern Africa to the north of Bulgaria: all the lands they conquered. The Turks brought their customs and the Arabs they copied them up to complement each other. Therefore considered not to speak of a battle between Turks and Christians, but of Christian peoples against peoples, Muslims, or Muslims.
PIO V. Ghisleri Michele, born in the Bosco Marengo 17 January 1504 in the province of Alessandria, was elected pope January 7, 1566. Preachers of the Dominican friar, was appointed Inquisitor in Como and Pavia: right on the border with Switzerland Protestant. He was appointed cardinal by Pope Paul IV in 1557, then the Grand Inquisitor in Rome. E 'Pope recognized as a firm and intrasigente permeated by strict Catholic. Pope appears to be a religious and raises at first banned all political and military commitment, he used to say that the Church did not need guns and soldiers, and that its weapons were to be prayer, fasting and the Holy Scriptures. Banned from the city of Rome all the courtesans, abolished the carnival and imposed a strict observance of the marriage and flogging for adulterers. Opponents argued that had made Rome a convent. It will subsequently canonized by Clement XI in May 1712, but according to others - especially in the words of Giovanoli - deserves to be relegated between Tamerlane and Dominic de Guzman (founder of the Dominicans) in the place belonging to one of the most frantic and bloodthirsty monsters that have disgraced the human race. " In fact, with him and bloodied the Holy Inquisition raged over Europe. In a letter to Philip II against heretics, requires that "no reconciliation ever: do not ever pity those who are subjugated and exterminated those who resist exterminated, persecuted to the bitter end, kill, burn, fire and blood at all is provided God is avenged, much more than its enemies are your enemies. "
sent troops in support of the French Catholics, and the Count of Santa Fiora, gave the order "not to take no prisoners Huguenot and immediately kill anyone who came across." According to the
Giovagnoli, "became drunk of the massacres of Cahors, Tours, Amiens, Toulouse and the Duke of Alba sent a gift hat and sword blessed. He persecuted in every way the Protestants in Catholic countries, and those were his instructions if the persecution in England he made his most horrific crimes: the excommunication against Mary Queen of Scots would have had nothing but a persecution more violent blood calls for blood, hate creates hate. And the consequences we see today. It was more than its imposition, that his diplomacy, to join the Venetians and the English in the Battle of Lepanto: provided ships and money, offered several ships to the Holy League which he launched against Islam and against the Turks who were invading Europe now Thanks to the ongoing discord between states. It was, in fact, March 7, 1571 - the day when we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican "Angelic Doctor" - who convoked in Rome, in the convent of Santa Maria sopra Minerva - the first conference of the Holy League .
To commemorate this event, looked at the feast of Our Lady of Victory " October 7, the day of battle and that his successor - Gregory XIII (the modern calendar reform that, in fact, Gregorian) - was transferred to the first Sunday in October as the "Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary."
He died on 1 May 1572, without much regret. He was succeeded by Gregory XIII, but that's another story. In Venice he was an altar dedicated to him in the third chapel to the left of the main altar of the Dominican church of SS Giovanni e San Paolo, near the door of the chapel dedicated to the biggest victory of Lepanto, now called the Chapel of the Rosary. "
Italian admiral Marcantonio Colonna (Civita Lavinia 1535-Medinaceli, Spain, 1584). Commander of the English cavalry during the war of Siena (1553-54), during the conflict between Spain and Paul IV was against the pope and was therefore stripped of all his assets in the State of the Church. Rientratone in possession of the pope's death (1559), Pius V was later made Prince of Palisade (1569) and captain-general of the fleet set up against the Turks (1570). In this position, ably reorganized the papal fleet, and made a fundamental contribution to the victory of Lepanto (1571). Then he strove in vain to the Pope and Venice to continue the war against the Turks until the final victory. He was finally appointed viceroy of Philip II of Sicily (1577) and ruled with great wisdom.
PHILIP II, KING OF SPAIN
King of Spain (Valladolid 1527-El Escorial 1598). Son of Emperor Charles V, and strictly brought up in religious worship and duties of the gifts, succeeded his father in 1556, the head of the domains of Spain, Italy, Flanders and America (but not in the Empire ), and was for over 40 years the king more severe, the most hated (outside Spain) and most feared, the inflexible rigor with which he made what he thought his duties as a Catholic king and English, including support to 'Inquisition, which became an essential instrument of his power. In 1543, Lord of Milan, regent of Spain, he married Mary Emanuel of Portugal who died in 1555, four days after giving birth to Don Carlos. Considered the father of his power tool (political marriages) and heir to sell with full confidence that the major task that oppressed him, in 1549 he was sent to Flanders to be anointed heir in those domains. Recognized by the Flemish
States (1549), was able to return in 1551 in the beloved Spain, where he began that work which had a troubled reign of his model of bureaucracy whose echo is still alive. Failed attempts of Charles V to secure the succession to the imperial Diet of Regensburg (1550), Philip, to the abdication of his father, received the Kingdom of Sicily (1554), the Netherlands, and Franche-Comte Charolais (1555) and finally the English kingdoms and Sardinia (1556), while the empire passed to his uncle Ferdinand.
There were many problems that Philip inherited the crown: the rivalry with France in the game of European supremacy, the need to reinforce the absolute monarchy in Spain, the need to assert English sovereignty at the same time the Catholic religion in Flanders, the indispensability to ensure the internal security threat from non-assimilated minority of the Moors, and the Mediterranean is threatened by the Turks, the commitment to organize the English possessions overseas (America, Asia and Oceania), and he tried to solve everything with of a methodical accounting.
The marriage to Mary Tudor, the Blood (1554, celebrated by Charles V) was the attempt to isolate France. But Philip, who, while hating, had won the love of Mary, was not appreciated by the English, who rejected it as king, leaving the regal but impotent husband. He then neglected relations with Britain which then went worse with the death of Mary (1558) and the proclamation of the new Queen Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, the incorporation of the Netherlands in the Kingdom of Spain, taking it from the sphere of action of the empire, allowed them to pass absurdity of that union, an opposition fiercer than ever have plagued Spain for over two centuries and would end with the inevitable gradual emancipation.
The continuation of policy with regard to the supremacy of France led him to break the truce Vaucelles and starting the war with Henry II, supported by Pope Paul IV.
But the victory of St. Quentin (1557) and the subsequent Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis (1559) did not went to any advantage, unless the marriage with Elizabeth of Valois (called the Elizabeth of the Peace), daughter of Henry II, the woman who Philip loved perhaps more than any other and that became a guarantee of truce in a struggle that had exhausted the country. The end of hostilities in France allowed Philip to address the problem of the Mediterranean.
then participated in the Holy League (With Venice and the Papacy) preparing a large fleet under the command of Alvaro de Baron and Don John of Austria, his half-brother, defeated at Lepanto (October 7, 1571) the Turkish fleet.
peace to the Mediterranean, the fight came to light in Flanders. The new marriage to Anne of Austria (1570), proposed in vain for his son Don Carlos, made in an attempt to obtain the neutrality of the emperor in the affairs of the Netherlands, was not sufficient to guarantee the tranquility of. The bad government delegated by Philip of Flanders Margaret of Austria caused an endless war, when the king intervened means cruel and unnecessary as the "Court of Blood" and the murder William of Orange, which did not prevent the northern provinces to reject English sovereignty and declared independence (1581).
Meanwhile Philip had taken possession of Portugal (1580) by right of succession to the death of Sebastian of Portugal, and the English threat, especially to businesses, it had been intensifying for the policy of the new queen, Elizabeth, who incited the war race against English ships and possessions.
The failure of the invincible army prepared to destroy the English power and destroyed by the storm and the tactic English (1588), dispelled the dream of Philip to conquer England (boasting an absurd law of succession to the throne), and to regain provinces Secrets of the Netherlands. Inserit, in support of Guise and the Catholic party, in political and religious struggles that afflicted France after the death of Henry II (1559) and Henry III (1589), Philip tried in vain to obtain the throne for his daughter Isabella Clara Eugenia , grandson of Henry II, the conversion to Catholicism of Henry the pretender béarnaise, king of Navarre, put an end to his ambitions. When Philip signed the Peace of Vervins (1598) and went to the Escorial, after leaving the kingdom to Philip III and the possessions with Isabella, Spain was bankrupt, crippled in every sector, even in culture, oppressed and gagged by his strict controls.
ALVISE I MOCENIGO DUKE OF VENICE
Since the time of war when they were suspended the vote of the Courts of their time expired, and also suspended the election of Correction to Promissione Ducale, 9 May 1570 was elected Doge of Venice, Alvise I Mocenigo. It tells him the Romanin: "... of an illustrious family, very deserving of the Republic, many adhesions, personal virtues of clear and exercised in matters such as internal and external to the seriousness of the moment is required."
Sebastiano Venier. second of two boys, was born to Moses and Dona Elena on June 11, 1496. He was physically healthy and strong, had ready wit, diverse and vast knowledge and easy and the word effective, but fierce and violent temper that showed as a boy mixed in fierce fights between boys, giving and receiving blows and wounds.
And such a bad character, who demonstrated throughout his life, was certainly a big factor in the well-known that he had discussions with Don John of Austria before Lepanto. It 's interesting that he had an argument Sept. 13, 1571, just days before the naval battle, with Nicholas Donà captain of the ship, because there he paints and reveals it to great effect. The
Donà presentandoglisi Messina have, by subject commented that he could not accept an assignment that you wanted to, for lack of resources and other reasons, describes so the meeting was: "This abrupt with wax Gurd et very roughly in his face (it was his excellence, Long time not well affected to our house for what happened in Cyprus with my father" the late, one wanders ete lieutenant of the kingdom et alia, general administrator) told me if I will not obey what they should, and I will report to the Senate of your disobedient. Not be answered until that day has never been disobedient, that with reverence haveva icon corresponds to my state, but havrei obeyed, and if not master of any vessel owner of his casts. Amazed the bystanders not to proceed and I esortorono move up higher. " To give an idea of \u200b\u200bhis ruthless severity is be noted that he poisoned and thrown into the sea Voivodeship Dragonetti, guilty of violently beset its directors.
traveled, as many nobles, and was trading on the galleys, to say those who knew him "eccelentissimo in crossbow shooting," as it later proved to be fighting at Lepanto. It was "Avogadori de Comun" and held important positions in land and in the east, and covered the most prominent civic and political. Joined to give this idea of \u200b\u200bintegrity will do that, for the marriage of her daughter, members of Brescia sent him a gift of the Vernaccia wine, cheese and cold cuts in the brain was very greedy. He did not want to accept that some meat, saying that he did not give opportunity to the evil of losing a day in the consideration that it had acquired over many years.
He played so well all the tasks that had the Republic, May 15, 1570, was awarded the powerful post of "Attorney of ultra" and December 13 of that year he was elected Captain-General by March It was no doubt that he enjoyed the highest prestige and enjoyed great confidence that inspired his great energy, the mature experience of dealing with the affairs of the layer, the high sense of justice and great integrity that the Senate thought fit to entrust the important role that requires enormous as valiant soldier and sailor. Of speech, which is said to have held the soldiers before the battle, it is interesting that step, which are still the integrity and uprightness of his character: "And I to you for captain, but esibitomi always faithful companion, that I will be in what is Be trial, only stranger in the guise, or premiums and aplausi, but none nell'opra, the obligation, the risks et in paternal love. " He showed even then a great sign of dignity to the point that he threatened to hang the flagpole on top of its young Genoese galley Andrea Doria, which had been sent by Don John to inspect his ship. Tired from the constant discussions with Don Giovanni, wrote to the Senate wanted to be replaced with a "more prudent et patients," but the Senate would not hear. In that year his health was not quite steady, was deaf from an ear, he was troubled by a bad leg and had difficulty walking. In fact, he was portrayed in the paintings all standing upright in the forecastle of his ship, with the armor, without helmet and with the foot of the tiles in some paintings, sword in hand and others with the banner of St. Mark, but always with next two families that continuously loaded the crossbow to hit enemies easier: we must also consider that in those days was the ripe old age of 75 years. It also showed great integrity in the following, after the battle, because as booty was held only 205 ducats, 2 and 6 pounds of money, some knives, a string of coral and two black slaves. Return to Venice he was received with the honors of a triumph.
When it came to conclude peace with the Muslims tried to oppose them by all means, getting to the point of offering all of its assets and those of his son for the continuation of the war. He was elected Doge of Venice on June 11, 1577, by unanimous vote of the electorate.
Pope Gregory XIII awarded him the gift of the prestigious "Golden Rose" and the "shrill and battery" as "Defensor Ecclesiae", both placed in the treasury of San Marco and destroyed by Napoleon ...
died March 3 of 1578 and was buried "temporarily" in the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Murano, and only in 1896 at the initiative of Pompey Molmenti, transporting the body of our hero in the Basilica and the Doges of the illustrious men of Serenissina: the SS John and Paul where today lies under the monument in bronze by Sebastian Zotto, and he dedicated: between the entrance to the Chapel of the Battle of Lepanto and the altar dedicated to St. Pius V.
Don John of Austria. admiral and general (Regensburg, 1545-Namur, 1578). Son of Emperor Charles V, was recognized by his brother Philip II in deference to his father's wishes. Educated in Spain, Philip II had several important commissions.
Captain-General of the Mediterranean fleet, fought against the Barbary pirates in 1568. Outbreak of the revolt of the Moriscos in Las Alpurias took over control of repression: the success of operations in Andalusia brought him command of the fleet of the Christian allies against the Turks at Lepanto (October 7, 1571) winning then Tunis (1573) and Bizerte. He lived in Naples and Genoa, but suspicion fell in with Philip II, who feared excessive popularity, he was sent to Flanders in rebellion (1576). Here he fought under the leadership of Alessandro Farnese and died of typhoid at 33, while his secretary Escobedo, sent to Madrid to ask for emergency relief, was mysteriously murdered.
Giannandrea DORIA. Genoese admiral (1539-1606). Son of Giannettino and Ginetta Centurion, was heir to the fortune of Andrea Doria. Commander of the right wing of the Christian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto (1571), was harshly criticized for having extended the deployment during the clash, he argued that such a move was made to counter a similar one made by the turkish commander before him, Ulug! Ali. But the violent reaction of Sebastiano Venier (who shouted in the face "Vile") against his action contradicts it. In 1575, the Doria, which belonged to the old nobility, following the turmoil of the new nobility and the proletariat, while managing to save the privileges it enjoyed, had to grant a review of the Constitution.
AGOSTINO BARBARIGO. was born in Venice in 1514. He began his "corsus honorum" 12 years on board ships as "Noble de ship," as they used to do all the descendants of the Venetian noble family. In fact, after the period of loading, "to gain experience", the noble offspring chose the most preferred career: who to mercatura, who the fine arts, advocacy, etc.. Augustine was a direct descendant of the two brothers Doge Marcantonio and Agostino, and chose the path of mercatura, but, like everyone else, and the nobles in particular, was subject to the laws of Venice, whose offices - more or less prestigious - were all elected. Therefore, in addition obligation to participate in the Greater Conisglio was "Avogadore", "captains", Senator, Ambassador to Spain in 1560, and so on. He was elected General Superintendent in 1570 and designed by Mar at the bottom of the Adriatic fleet.
OF TURKISH SULTAN SELIM II.
Ottoman Sultan (Magnesia ca. 1524-Istanbul 1574). Son of Suleiman the Magnificent and Rosselana, succeeded his father in 1566 mainly due to the intrigues of his mother. Devoid of political skills, but he managed to surround himself with people of value (such as the grand vizier Sokollu Mehemed) which led a broad-based policy. Made peace with the empire (1568), but could not avoid the serious defeat of Lepanto (1571). However, the Venetians
Trappist Cyprus (1571 and 1573) and the English Tunis (1574).
ALI 'Feed' commander of the Turkish fleet. Ottoman politician (d. 1579), a Bosnian by birth, educated in the religion of Islam, had a brilliant military career, becoming an admiral, then governor of Rumelia. From 1565 he was grand vizier of Suleiman I and his death (1566), Selim II. He was able to keep the peace through a judicious system of alliances. He was pushed against his will to the conquest of Cyprus (1571) and war with the Christian powers, which culminated in the Battle of Lepanto, where he met his death (October 1571).
Ulugh ALI 'Feed "Uccialli. Corsaro Ottoman (? 1507-Istanbul 1587). Luke Galen, born in Calabria and captured, a boy, by the Turks, he learned the art of naval warfare by Algerian pirates, and was called Ulug Ali Pasha became. A Lepanto (1571) distinguished himself as commander of the left wing of the Ottomans: his ships were the only ones to leave the battle with little damage, thanks to the tragic (?) The failure of the Doria. Recaptured Tunis (1574) and took possession of the schooner.
Mehemet SCIROCCO . Turkish admiral told the Italian reporters, Mohammed Scirocco Lepanto 1571), one of three commanders of Mehmet Ali of the Ottoman fleet at Lepanto. On the day of battle (October 7, 1571) held the right wing of the line with 53 galleys, found himself fighting against the 55 galleys, nearly all of Venice, Agostino Barbarigo who fought with overwhelming force. Its fleet was overtaken and he himself wounded and taken prisoner.
Dragut ALLY OF FRANCE for the reconquest of Corsica and ambassadors to negotiate a separate peace with Venice
(corruption of turkish Dorghut), corsair turkish (Mugla Malta 1485-1565).
Amurat Dragut, native to Asia Minor, as a young man distinguished himself nell'assaltare Venetian ships. Secretly allied with Henry II of France continued to fight successfully against the English and Italian states from its base in al-Mahdiyyah Tunisia (Mahdia hours). Participated the conquest of Tripoli, made in 1551 by the Turkish fleet, and in 1556, the death of Murad Agha, obtained the government of that city, then extends its authority even on Djerba. Christian successfully defended the attack Tripoli in 1560, died while taking part in the siege of Malta. He tried to treat the separate peace between Venice and the Sultan, thanks to the French contribution in order to divide the Christian forces.
Galleys Arsenal. We can not forget the true stars of this terrible and ferocious battle: Galleys.
These ships were long and light, which, with all its various forms and measures taken by the various contenders, were the real antagonist, then they also deserve a special mention among the main protagonists. GALEA
The ship is a classic war of the Middle Ages and early modern to sec. XVII: long and narrow, which bears a spur, was propelled rowing boats, with one or two masts and lateen sails. A preview of the galley is the long ship of Mycenae, which was vast and triumphant use from 1300 to 1100 a. C.
12 to 35 m long, takes a maximum of 25 rowers for band and used a tree and a sailboat. The Greeks in the sec. VIII a. C. munirono spur of the galley, revolutionizing the technique of naval combat. This innovation led to the expansion of the vessel to accommodate the greatest number of archers and hoplites. The continued lack of good rowers resulted in the developmental stage of the galley which led the Athenians to add a small shaft bushings, usually used in cases of rapid retreat.
The Carthaginians in the Punic War used it I ^ g. with five rows of oars against the two and three orders of the Greeks and the Romans copied them from those models. The Middle Ages was the period in which the galley found its maximized in different versions. The same dromons was a large galley with two rows of oarsmen rowing and 50 per band.
spread throughout the known world, the galley was widely adopted by Arabs and Byzantines, and became the backbone of the fleet of the Italian maritime city. Around Mille
the spread of the lateen sail, which allowed the upwind, gave new impetus to the construction of the helmet, which can implement fast and free navigation of the route required. Oars (driven by forced or slave or free) were arranged in groups and not overlapping orders, while the banks were willing to fashionable herringbone. In the galley
four hundred passes from tree fixed a sail to the addition of the foremast, which is sometimes added a mizzen and a Trevi luck to accelerate the race in a storm. Shortly after it was adopted a center pivot and articulate for the first time the ship was armed with a gun. The Venetians around the sixteenth century experienced galley on which several men were working to "scaloccio" on the same oar and the system remained in until the end of the eighteenth century, on a ship which reached the length of 50 m, with 116 or 180 or more on some types rowing as galeazza, the long galley and the bastard.
The crew could reach up to 500 men, including sailors, soldiers and rowers.
devised also an egg type of helmet, called galeazza, but much wider and long, with two castles at the bow and Puppa, armored on the sides with big sheets of copper and was armed with thirty-caliber guns on each side, as well as other forty culverins bricks, and several of the castles in falconets Puppo and bow.
For those times the volume of fire was very impressive. They could navigate both sailing and rowing with both the means, however, were very slow and given their size, should be assisted in towing by other helmets.
The hull was generally built in hard wood, consisting of a horizontal frame, two current longitudinal, transverse two games. A kind of castle at the bow arms and welcomed an mold provided accommodation for the officers.
While browsing, as the benches of the rowers in the open, was laid a towel along the quarterdeck aft to forward. The Venetians call sheet said "Tiemo.
British and French ships adopted very similar to the galleys, while the Russians, Swedes and Danes used widely for this type of ship sailing in shallow water species and the first to use them long enough to use them again in conflict Russo-Swedish 1808.
A special note to the Arsenal of the Venetians.
The Arsenal was a huge factory where they worked more than 40 thousand workers: segadori, head master, Calafatti, Marangoni, Remer, casters, cordaioli, etc.etc.
The ability of those workers had made such a huge assembly line - right in the modern sense of the word! - To the point that, at full capacity, could also launch a galley a day absolutely complete and ready to undertake the voyage.
were there ready, just in case, hundreds of boats, endless rows of guns, piles of timber on land and in water for curing, piles of ropes parted in the docks, wharves, warehouses, there were hundreds of thousands of cannon balls dn iron and stone.
In the spring of 1571, in the Arsenale was repairing the fleet the previous year had participated in the Holy League headed by Marcantonio Colonna and then dissolved as a result of conflict in which there were always between the Venetians and the English. Some of these ships were floating coffins become true because of outbreaks of plague that had broken out because of promiscuity in which they lived in close contact, soldiers and sailors: just think that in each galley, there were over 200 men aai rowing 40 crew and about 130 soldiers! When
, May 25, was signed and ratified the agreement between the Pope, Venice and Spain for the establishment of the Holy League, Arsenal launched in just two months later than sixty ships, six galleys and all those under repair.
spending for each vessel was supported not only by the state, even from many cities of the Venetian mainland, proud to participate in such a great event. In addition to those ships equipped with men of the various districts of Venice, had recognized the honor of having its own flag with the emblem of the city of origin and the Lion of S. Marco.
PLACES . Lepanto is a center of Greece, in the Nomos of Aetolia and Akarnania fishing port on the close of the same name that links the gulfs of Patras and Corinth.
In greek, Naúpaktos. In fact the battle took place about two hundred miles from Lepanto, more exactly in front of Cape Papas, in the triangle of sea located between the Gulf of Patras and the islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Today is appointed
Naupactus.
THE BACKGROUND. THE SITUATION IN 1570 IN THE ADRIATIC
It has been said that March 7 was begun prior to the chapter house of the Convent of St. Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. On that occasion ventured a first failure, when the representative of the King of Spain, Cardinal Granvela, ruled that the company could not be started before 1572. Obvious resentment of the Venetian ambassadors, and the Attorney Michele Soriano Soranzo, who shouted in the face of Granvela all their envy and resentment, even if in the presence of the Pope and the Colonna. Pius V, so he begged the audience that he obtained a suspension of the negotiations.
Then he sent his messengers to the king of Spain and the Doge of Venice to convince them to stay in the league, because it was heard that there were secret negotiations in progress for a separate peace with the Turkish.
Keep in mind that the league did not participate in it 'the Germanic Empire and' the king of France, and the latter - always in good relations with the Sublime Porte - was maneuvering - by Ambassador turkish Dragout - Venice for you to negotiate peace. At that moment
Cyprus that was one of the most prestigious Venetian possessions, was under siege of the Turkish fleet which had already won half the island. In addition, Venice had already exhausted all the wars that had incurred since the beginning of the current century, and the increased power in all the Turkish seas.
After 1550 the Turks had already reached the coast of Dalmatia, had reached the gates of Vienna, after conquering Greece and the Peloponnese.
was clear at this point, it was essential to Venice or a separate peace with the Turks or a large naval battle that they had been stopped.
was then fixed the date for the next meeting in May eight.
The Apostolic Nuncio in Spain, Archbishop Castagna, obtained insurance from the same King Philip that the League would be made, provided that the Commander-in-chief was her brother, Don John of Austria, Don Juan. The Granvela to remove it around, he was appointed viceroy of Naples, replacing the late Don Pedro de Toledo. It remained to convince the Venetians. The Pope instructed the embassy Marcantonio Colonna to the Senate of the Republic of Venice. After lengthy negotiations failed to convince even the strongest party of "peace" and to accept that the captain was Don Juan, and the deputy the same column for the Pope last May 25 the treaty was concluded with satisfaction for all. The ceremony signing was held in the hall of Constantine in the Vatican Palace, where the Pope had met in secret consistory all the Cardinals. The Dominican pope, Pius V, had already won its battle.
The League was ended, and was formally published in Venice on July 2. This time between the ratification and publication was due to finding the money needed and the collection of cernide.
The next appointment was in Naples for the collection of the first ship of the Pope, of Savoy, Tuscany, Dukes, etc.. The next to Messina, where he would be added to the Venetian fleet from the Adriatic and the Aegean, with the English Don Juan and the 12 Genoese galleys Giannandrea Doria.
to glory. At the Battle of Lepanto have written about books and books of scholarship so that it would be easy to do, to hear from some point that it is anachronistic to speak even to this day where everything is globalized and it all comes down to a alleged solidarism of single-sided, and acceptance of people who, like their own remote ancestors, they want to conquer Europe Islam in a much more subtle and insidious.
William Faulkner once said "The past is never dead, on the contrary: it is not even past."
However, in this study are to analyze the background and the characters that it were its protagonists, as well as the performance of the same battle which was widely considered "the greatest naval battle of all time.
It served only as a result of the serious divisions between the fleets of Christendom, to stop the advance of the Turks and Islam, but not defeat it entirely ... When
Sebastiano Venier made his report to the Senate of the Venetian Republic listed the loot that the various fleets were gone, when the Senators they found that the Republic had fallen well short in comparison to what he had invested, the Captain was asked: "And what Venexia x have?" he threw one of his terrible looks, well known and responded with a loud voice: "A rest Venexia xe tuto honor that no other avudo ga!
Needless to the cheers of our ancient Fathers ...
IT BEGINS! In August 1571 some three hundred ships of the Holy League - almost a new Crusade - promoted by Pope Po V, huddled in the port of Messina. There were between squadrea: the Venetian, under the command of "Captain General of mar" Sebastiano Venier, the Pope's orders Marcantonio Colonna, and the fleet of Philip II, composed of ships from Spain and Naples. With the ships of the column were those of Savoy, and Malta. The galleys, 210, blinds were half plus six new "Galeazze" (rather than a new type of ship, were veritable floating fortresses, armed with hundreds of guns of large and medium size), there were also 60 other frigates led by the Venetian Francesco Duodo. Twenty-six was the supreme commander Don Juan de Austria, the son of Charles V, and therefore half-brother of Philip II.
The galleys were svelte and low ship which is ordinarily moved rowing, but they could have the benefit of one or two lug sails. The
Galeazzo, preludenti future ships or galleons, were - as mentioned - heavy three-masted vessels with rounded sides and castles fore and aft raised.
were a new invention of the proto of the Venice that had built just for that occasion. They were not fast, nor easy to handle and it was almost always necessary Towing, however, were the true prototypes of new ships and new ships that would later cross the seas and oceans without oars.
In order to merge the three into a single army and fleet to avoid jealousy between nations, Don Juan sailed ships into five teams, each chosen in the three fleets of ships, so that none could claim to fight only for the Pope, Spain or Venice.
Don Juan raised his flag, the banner of the League, at the Royal, a magnificent vessel with stern high ornate wood carvings. He had 400 rowers and 300 fighters.
the sides of the Royal were the captains of the Pope, with the flag of the column, and the captain of Venice, with the flaming flag San Marco. Also the sides were also the galleys of the Duke of Parma and the Duke of Urbino. The ship was commanded of the Knights of Malta by the Grand Prior Pietro Giustiniani was the far right of center. Three ships of Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy were under the command of Andrea Provana Leyna.
All the helmets of the center bore blue flames as a trademark. The architects explained the left wing triangular green flags. The right wing of the Doria were distinguished by yellow flames. Each carried a large flagship stern lantern (Fano) and a long flame red masthead aft.
should write an entire book to make a list of all the historic families in Italy and Spain and those of the commanders of ships and troops. The oar
forced to don Juan had the hope of complete forgiveness and deserve - to enable them to take part in the fighting - they promised to free them from the chains and arm them on the day of battle.
and diatribes DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. He had come to Friday, August 24. The strong character of Sebastiano Venier was immediately: when he heard of the hesitation in Spain for an immediate attack on the Turkish fleet, immediately cursed "those fearful of Madrid intriguing, worthy of their gloomy King."
It took all the diplomacy still riaddolcire Column for the soul. But he also had his work cut to convince Venier to accept the galleys in his quota of English soldiers, as the Venetians - already prostrated by the long wars - they did not have enough. On September 2
arrived in port in full sail, the ships of the Superintendents Querini and Canal, the same evening the Doria with 11 galleys, the day after the teams Santacroce, Naples, and Don Giovanni Cardona from Sicily. The fleet was complete. The
September 8, the Admirals screening all the fleet must have been a marvelous sight: 278 battleships, six galleys, numerous smaller ships for transport and reconnaissance. But it was not over yet. The day Don Juan 10
summoned all the commanders of the teams for a final meeting prior to departure and to hear the views and suggestions of all. First of all
spoke to Doria, who claimed not to venture against the Turkish fleet, as it claimed that the outcome was quite uncertain. (It is considered that the Doria was participating in the League with his ships, but rather placed in the pay of the King of Spain!)
After a moment of dismay the Venier, red with anger and dismay at the height of, only had time to muttering something like "shameful", but it was the Querini to say loud and clear to all present, the indignation of the Venetians, began by accusing the Doria did not want to endanger his ships that had contracted to the English, and this was a common knowledge of the Genoese who charter their vessels for the war, and this since the days of Andrew, who had been a great captain but the most skilled in the withdrawn into battle. "Imagine his nephew, continued to scream Querini, that's not even a sailor, but only a pirate.
And we must listen. " And it was thanks to the diplomatic ability of the column, unless you went further in serious discussion.
the ways to achieve the fleet at Lepanto
of Christianity is concentrated in Messina and in part to Villa S. John Calabria, from where in the early hours of September 16 del1571, spends the night in Reggio Calabria, then continue the navigation room Cape Teulada and is forced by bad weather to go to the shelter of the Calabrian coast, passes in front of Punta Stilo and stop at the Cape of Columns 21. At night the galleys lead up between large headlights, the ships hoisted binding posts instead of a big lantern tree teacher. The transfer provision was as follows: twenty miles ahead weapon proceeded a pioneering body of 8 galleys under the command of Cardona.
At nightfall the distance would be reduced to eight, to take up position at dawn. A
miles behind the fleet had to sail a rear guard of 30 galleys, ready to help the wood in difficulty and shaking rhythms. At the time of the battle had this body functions reserve. This tells the navigation
Alberto Guglielmotti, historic papal navy, on the basis of the Fair and Caraccioloo, eyewitness: "The sky was all clear, the night wind, fresh, sparkling clear and the stars, and here in the middle of the air flame of fire so bright and so great, in a column for a long time had by all with wonderful views, to the spectators, as miraculous apparition, he threw his best wishes for a great victory. Estimated that the pillar of fire to lead the Christian army had to be on the sea, as he led the Israelites in the desert. And the more we enter into the prognosis of such a sign, as many others had been in a short time before. "
On 26, after crossing the Gulf of Taranto and be passed in front of Santa Maria di Leuca, with the aim to avoid the horns of a terrible sea storm, the teams reach the Ionian islands and stopping at Corfu.
On September 30, Don Juan takes the fleet to Igoumenizza in Epirus there to stop water and firewood. On October 3, entry into a fusta bay after sundown, announces the fall of Famagusta and the horrible end of Marcantonio Bragadin.
That news inflamed tempers and caused Don Juan, urged by the Barbarigo Venier and Colonna, to reject the suggestions that many conservative advisers gave him - the Doria among the first - following the tortuous line of the policy of Philip II. That night the sailors
Venetians, filled with anger and with tears in his eyes, went through all the equipment on board to be ready for battle, except that in the Venetian galley Candiotto Calergi the English soldiers made fun of the Venetian sailors calling " scaldapanche and just good to get away, "as their official Muzio Alticozzi da Cortona. Needless to narrate the battle that arose. The Calergi by sending a messenger to warn him of what happened Venier. Veniero, which tolerate bad English people on board its ships, rushed on the spot and given the violent reaction of Muzio and its three officers, who ordered the immediate hanging in the same ship yards dela! When Don Juan knew it, he wanted to turn hanged Venier. It was the usual column to calm people with the condition that the issue did not pose Venier never set foot in the flagship of Don Juan. His place was taken by Augustine Barbarigo. From
ships sent to explore it became known that the Turkish fleet was beyond the so-called Dardanelles of Lepanto, formidably defended by two castles along the shore between Rhion on the coast of Patras, and on that Antirhion ETOL, end Western Gulf of Corinth. Lepanto (now: Naupactus, as mentioned above) is a fortified town, with mandrač: the venture had to give name to the great battle that took place in reality a hundred miles to the west, Corzolari to the islands, the ancient Echinades, east of the islands of Ithaca and Cafalonia.
If we were to give the titanic collision as the island closest to the area of \u200b\u200bsea in which it took place, we would choose Oxia, which is the southernmost island of Echinades at the head Scrophia. Following other informants the inaccurate reference of the Muslim fleet has only 200 ships, many woods that had smaller crews, and that the plague had appeared among the troops.
Ali Pasha had focused on several days throughout its fleet in the Gulf of Corinth, and Patras, if you prefer, because it had learned of the meeting of Christianity, and also drew the winning Cyprus.
Each opponent is believed therefore superior to the enemy and wanted to meet him soon. Ali Pasha decided to exit from the straits of Lepanto and wait for the rest of the gun ally, while Don Juan left Igoumenizza and forwarded between Ithaca and Cephalonia.
the night 6 to 7 October, the Christian fleet cast anchor at the entrance of the Gulf of Patras to twenty miles inside the bay were vessels Ali.
FORCES IN THE FIELD. The vanguard under the command of Juan de Cardona, included seven galleys and six galleys. The left wing or left wing, under the command of Barbarigo Agostino, a veteran of many campaigns, consisted of 53 galleys, and the center or battle, the direct orders of Don Juan de Austria, consisted of sixty galleys, the right wing, with Gianandrea Doria, had 50 galleys. The rearguard, under the command of Don Alvaro de Bazan, he was 30. The Venetian frigates were a separate group under the command of Don Cesar d'Avalos. A total of 278 ships. Overall: 1750 artillery pieces, 34 thousand soldiers, sailors and 13 thousand 43 thousand men at the oars. The soldiers were more numerous Italians, Spaniards segiuvano. Many
musketeers. Gentlemen Volunteers needed on all vessels. The teams of the weapon Muslim, as said, meanwhile, gathered in the Gulf of Patras, and Corinth, were composed of 221 helmets similar to the galleys. They had each side a row of long oars, but they were also equipped with one or two trees, each bearing a triangular sail at the third. On the bow girder is a battery of two or more guns: sometimes had a battery of smaller caliber aft. There were also 38
galeotte or half-galleys, which belonged mostly to the Rais of North Africa, and good walking and sailing, as the thin fuste 18. A total of 277 ships, 750 cannon, 34 thousand soldiers, sailors and 13 thousand 41 thousand men in the oar.
The supreme commander Ali Pasha was an Admirals of the old glory days of Sultan Suleiman, then became the Director of Selim II. Ali had divided his fleet into four teams: the Centre or battle Ali Pasha, with 91 galleys and 5 galeotte, namely helmets children:
Horn right: Mehmet Saulak, said Scirocco, with 55 galleys and galley:
Horn left: Luke Galea, or Ali Ulug "Occialli", with 67 galleys and 27 galeotte:
Reserve: Amurat Dragut, with eight galleys, 6 and 18 galeotte fuste, these frigates with duties similar to Christianity.
THE PROVISION OF BATTLE. After the tale, the battle was available to the following form: To the left of the shore of Cape Papas Barbarigo below, in front of him Mehemet Scirocco. Middle: Don Juan Sebastian Veneier, Marcantonio Colonna and other dignitaries Christians were faced with the press of Ali Pasha
We show that the fleet of Christianity was prepared in a straight line, while the Turkish Muslim - in a semicircle.
The six Venetian galleys were arranged two by two in front of the three provisions.
battle. dawn on October 7, 1571 the Christian army was already under way, with the ships rather than dispersed by the wind and rough sea, when he caught a glimpse on the horizon the white sails of ships Muslim. Don Juan explained for the first time the flag given to him by the Pope Pius V and promoter: large square banner adorned with a crucifix and images of S. Peter and Paul. Column spiegòm the sign of the Pope and Sebastiano Venier did carry the flag war with the Lion of S. Mark of Venice on the quarterdeck and stern defense of the faithful twelve Gonfalonieri Perasto, another banner, with the lion of S. Marco, he wielded. While the fleet is slowly forwarding, Don Juan sent a pilot exploration. This scale is one of the rocks of the island of Oxia and above counted 250 enemy sails, but the pilot had reached the Royal Don Juan is not a story that reluctant, for fear of depressing the young master before the now imminent and inevitable battle. The wind favored the ship of Ali, but suddenly stopped and the sea became calm. The Turks lower the sails useless with a rapid and simultaneous movement, that Christians admired.
On a brig Don Juan covered the entire face of the Christian ships. Standing on the bow, with a beautiful armor, holding a crucifix, prompting officers and soldiers to sacrifice everything for the holy cause: then returned to the Royal, the vessels of Marcantonio Colonna, Sebastiano Venier.
Meanwhile, many forced to drop the chains and Davan arms to defend the ships and their freedom. All the large was on one line, the left wing and the center had already times the prows of the enemy, while the left wing of Giananrea Doria was still under way in line to reach the place of combat and training.
front of the big, wide at intervals, were the powerful Venetian galleys Francesco Duodo garde, helped to get to their place of six fast horses in tow, on the back of the weapon retention of Don Alvaro de Bazan.
Great was the wonder of Muslims to see the six large galleys put forward to them and letting go the anchor: similar vessels had never seen. The enthusiasm
warrior and a sudden fervor agree difede held and turned the minds of the new Crusaders finally dele forget their differences of race, interests and passions.
Giovan Pietro Contarini writes in his Historia, as published in Venice in 1572, which was given "the sign of horns, fifes, Chiarelli, drums and every other sort of instrument. Aloud, for all the army was the universal cry, et Almighty God is invoked Pdre et Son Holy Spirit, et was universally greeted with loud your name and the Blessed Virgin Mary His Madrea, et Andorno them now many priests et patrons of the galleys with the crucifix in hand, with devout et puppa try to speak effectively. " On all ships, from Don Juan to the hub on board, all bare-headed, bent the knee, reciting their prayers.
"It was an unusual silence et splendor over the sea."
was almost noon when the army osman in line in front of a cannon shot came almost to the galleys. Ali, advancing with his ship for a wide range, he fired a shot from the big piece of the bow. Don Juan, still with his teams, he, in turn, pull a shot at the Royal Turks. While waiting for the assault, the young supreme leader rang the fifes, and forward on Rembo, with two English knights, danced the famous vigorous and the battle of Lepanto had begun. The Turkish army was approaching in the front line in all its grandeur, on the shoulders of Christian slaves chained to the oars down the whip of the torturers. On the bridges
Turks "raised a great cry, accompanied by other similar noises et GNAC military encouraged the rowers et force that made the most puotèro, co great haste, speed et haste came forth." He then raised a Wind conducive to our master. It was noon.
Upon arriving at the deployment enemy fire, Francesco Duodo, from its powerful galeazza, ordered to download all the guns in the bow against the enemy.
With enormous balls, hit an enemy galley, put it in flames. The Venetian gunners invented a new system of balls to the bigger guns, they were asked two half balls joined together with a chain attached inside, shoot the balls when they were opened and the chains stretched by striking out the masts of enemy ships. The Turkish
line showed some disorder. In some Christian galleys run to the ship hesitated, others bent not to go too close to Galeazzi, who with hurricanes of musketry, fired by the high castles, prevented any attempt at boarding.
the steps at their side, the galleys fired with the pieces placed on the sides spreading more terror. The Ottoman fleet resulted in a confused mass behind the galleys, with a wide range of division and division, as the current of a river is divided by pillars of a bridge. The disorder of the attack turkish decreased the volume of fire that could direct its guns on the bow line as Christians, so the ships head seguiuvano masked ones. Even deadly pass galleys, the Turks sought to re-establish their line of battle, but the fire of the parts installed on the formwork aft of the powerful Venetian Timber greatly hindered the attempt. Thanks to these
poderosissime new ships, the battle had SAH positive for the fleet of Christianity even before the battle. The Christian army was holding the property center and the left wing. From the decks of the galleys was observed that the enemy, having crossed the smoky blackish produced by the artillery of the galleys - arrived in minimum distance. Then the Christian line of battle, gave impetus to the galleys with their oars, and went with grandisima fury against the infidels, making fire with bow parts of the castles. The team Brbarigo
Augustine, General Superintendent, left wing, was the first to meet with the wing Turkish-controlled right Mohmed Scirocco, Pasha of Egypt. These led her mainsail galley dela end line, until at the side of the flagship Venetian. While some Turkish jail lighter managed to slip between the ships of the Barbarigo and earth to get back to the horn of the Christian galleys attacked in front of the biggest. The gianizzeri, infantry choice of the Sultan, invaded the deck of our ship, by strenuously conrastati arquebusiers of Venice and all the sailors that contained the crews Osmane rinnovantisi like waves, and the Barbarigo Paruta writes, "always hovering between the first and where was more dense storm of enemies running, showed that if the art Let no captain was not the second, the readiness of the hand and the courage to get even the most courageous soldiers. " Similarly
bloody fighting that had occurred not far from the galley of Marin Contarini and thirsty Turkish galleys that the encirclement. The Contarini, grandson of the Barbarigo fell musket shot, and then killed the boatswain and the pilot. Paolo Orsini strives by the soldier and the sailor, but is itself affected. The galley Vincenzo Querini occurs in vogue hobbled, forcibly between the Turkish ships, with great din of arms and broken oars. The pressure against the galley of the Contarini is so lightweight, the Querini mapure falls. His fight, however, with unprecedented value, and the other galley Paolo Orsini, though wounded, threw himself on the offensive.
In the Christian slaves of the Turkish galleys unable to free themselves from the chains and make the massacre of Turks. To the cry of freedom! I'm on the galley of Orsini, there putting the guilty or to Rembo. The fate of the battle are inverted five galleys are prey for our enemies.
At the same time also the flagship of the Barbarigo, the "patron saint of Venice", is about to succumb, but is rescued from the galley Zuane Contarini of Jaffa, and then the "Saint Catherine" by Marco Cicogna and "Madonna" by Pier Francesco Malipiero, who undertake a monumental struggle. The Malipiero was killed and seriously injured the Stork. Profit of the mixture can take a Turkish galley aft of the "patron saint". While the Barbarigo "was commanding anything about the fight, seeing that it can not be heard well because he kept his face covered with a shield, to be able to do better, he was forced to bare." He was struck by an arrow to the eye. The wound is serious, but he continues as long as he can. It died after two days.
Despite the confusion caused on board the "patron" from the wounds of the General Superintendent, Scirocco can not be right of us, because it goes against the galley of the Superintendent Antonio da Canal. These, not to be jammed by armor, she's wearing a white quilted robe, with a similar hat and a pair of rope. The galley sinks Scirocco, Scirocco plunges to swim, is based on the galley Marino Contarini, acknowledged, and beheaded and his head impaled on a pole. The Turks are terrified
The scrum goes wild. Federico Nani is in command of the galley Barbarigo takes a dig on the side, you briefly medicare; back to bow to fight. And here's the take off the Captain with his supervisor Marco Querini, who rushed from the far right of the left wing, out of action after giving several Turkish galleys. The galley Elbigina captures the Captain of Istanbul. The great galeazza Antonio Braga strikes the Turkish galleys wing extreme and force them to throw themselves to the coast hoping to protect a friendly country, but in vain, because they are all sunk. The center. The main Turkish team had suffered much from the fire of the galleys. Many shots had fallen on the mighty helmet wearing the insignia of Ali Pasha, a white flag sent from Mecca, and on which were embroidered the verses of the Koran (this flag is still exposed in the ceiling of the Armoury of the Council of X, Palazzo Ducale in Venice). Ali, however, went with his ship on to the Royal Don Juan, leaving Serraschiere Pertev Pasha (Portaù) and the Pasha of Mytilene care to attack the flagships of Marcantonio Colonna and Sebastiano Venier.
Ali keeps silent his pieces until the bow is at a stone's throw from the Royal, then opened fire killing many men, the guns of Don Juan thundering answer. The two ships meet the bow against the bow, after the collision the ship of Ali slips along the side of Royal. The two ships are launched each of boarding the harpoon and the melee began.
The sides of the Christian galleys were lower than the edge of the Turks, so the Janissaries gionai Ali had easy game to get on the Real. The third of the musketeers of Sardinia led by Don Lopez Figueroa, very skilfulness began to fight the hordes, and three times they rejected them in a fierce melee.
In the heat of battle, they managed to repel the Turks in their ed'un jump ship came up the foremast. But there the Janissaries did square around their Pasha, stagnated and the struggle for a short period. Fatigue was beginning to be felt. The
Venier, given the difficulty in which he was Don Juan, he ordered his knuckles intervanire.
Pertev At the same time (or Pertaù) boards the ship of Venier and Pasha of Mytilene from the galley on the Column, all the helmets of the center will launch upon each other. The oars break, the blows of muskets, the goals of the grenades, the clang of trumpets Christian warrior, the roll of drums Turks, clash of swords, the cries of the combatants are mixed in a deafening noise. Through the smoke the Turks are able to set foot again on the bow of the Royal. The moment is critical, but the Venier, who had already surpassed its direct rival, the Serraschiere, rushes to the aid of Don Juan. With the full force of the bow of the rowing launches his galley on the stern of the ship of Ali, which swept the decks with volleys of musketry, and throw the boarding his companies. He follows.
This action saves the Real: Ali must now think only of defending themselves.
the other side of the old Royal Sebastiano Venier, bareheaded, fights splendidly: holding the banner of S. Mark and two sailors, alternately, the charge that he discharged the crossbow against the Turks. The balls and the hissing of the arrows around, while his men are fighting hand to hand with enemies. Return battered his opponent, the Venier entrusts the other end of which occurred galleys and throws herself to ram and to sink other ships. An arrow wounds him in the leg, and he shouted a cry of anger more than pain regardless of the wound, tear, and the arrow stays on the bridge. Venice could be proud of her Captain-General that the battle had strongly desired, and most have won but not only saved the life of the fleet to the Captain General Don John of Austria! (After the battle, Don Juan embrace the eo called, "Father, Savior and the main source of victory." Any such discussions before the battle was completely forgotten!). In the galleys to come to his rescue and John Catarino Malipiero Loredan and all Turkish ships are launched closer desperately and angrily against them in the furious struggle, both died as true heroes.
Towards the captain of the Turks now converge with extraordinary courage galleys flagship of Don Juan, and the Column of the Dukes of Parma, Urbino, of Savoy.
Aid thus appropriate that the door to the Royal Venier is the climax of the fight. The infantry seizes the bridge of the enemy ship and no one of the four hundred Turkish soldiers survive: Ali is one of the last to succumb: His head is placed on top of a pike, and goes to Don Juan with the banner of Mecca. The young admiral looks with disgust the macabre and bloody trophy in order to throw water, but the Venetians do bring the ship around demoralizing, in this way, the Turks survivors.
Don Juan does raise the flag of the Holy League to what remains of the mainmast of the galley won, while trumpets sound and his men happily gave the cry of triumph. The Venier immediately ask for the Republic of Venice the banner of Mecca. While
so the fight was decided in favor of Christians, on the wing left and center, other development was the right wing. Here the ships Gianandrea Doria, a further demonstration of his lack of will to fight, they had not had time to take the training of combat, when they saw the ships of Ali Ulug (Occhialli) to divert the route and head towards the open sea. It must be said, to tell the truth, that the Doria Occialli or Uccialli, commanded their galleys in the pay of the principles of Christianity, the one, and the Bey of Tunis, the other. If fighting will jeopardize their woods, was at stake if they fled their honor. Now, oddly, is faced in the far corner of the battle, which was easier to maneuver of expectation or disengagement. In the early hours
Uccialli looked good from pursuing the Doria's galleys and isolated from the bulk of the army. Perhaps he understood that the Doria had little desire to make war, and how he kept away from confrontation by sitting armchairs to see how they put things.
But when he saw that the battle was lost both the center and to the side of the coast decided to no longer have to linger in that position, and that it was time to escape. On the road to escape the chance to put in front of a dozen wood abandoned by Doria, uncertain now far between shoulders of their master and the other team's face in full storm of attacks. Uccialli was a predator, a pirate. Easily judge take me with impunity those woods are abandoned, of a strong group of at least dopio of galleys intact. He gave orders to put the oars in the water, trudging across a vogue in the direction of the tear. The twenty ships that were in front did not flee. And the battle that was about to go out on the remainder of the line, suddenly flared up again here. The ship Uccialli gave him the "San Giovanni" of the Knights of Malta, which was soon overwhelmed, and the Grand Prior Giustiniani was severely wounded, almost all of his men killed and Ulug seized the banner of the Knights as a trophy. The "Florence" and "Daisy" were defeated, but came well under Don Alvaro de Bazan the ships in reserve.
Prospero Colonna to the "San Teodoro" Onorato Caetani and the "Griffon" the dark did trance the prey that is pulled and threw him to the Turks.
was the last action of the battle. When they arrived at the point of the battle had already Uccialli massacre. The "Florence" and a Maltese galley all the men were put to the sword, blood-stained decks as a Christian ammazzatoio livestock.
Uccialli, eager to save more than fighting, he ordered the sign of retreat. He left at twelve galleys which had already managed to plunder except the wood of Peter Bua, the Eagle, to be of a light hull that was easier and more convenient to drag. He left in the hands of Christians twenty five of its vessels, marred by the artillery and the hope with which they had been addressed. With the forty prisons and prisoners that had been taken off the way to Constantinople, taking with ruin on its route to Don Giovanni Cardona and how much wood Christians dared to cut the way of his desperate flight. Only then we heard the galleys of Doria cannonneggiare distance towards the enemy and soon after he was seen on the battlefield, a battle over, and just in time to take control of his share of the spoils.
At four o'clock the battle was over, the great Turkish army destroyed and only the helmets Ali Ulug of Uccialli and a few others had managed to escape:
the Christian fleet was mistress of the sea. About five o'clock, the sky became dark already penetrated the night. Then the wind turned to the master, the clouds became dark and water every light disappeared. The wind increased, bringing heavy rain in the midst of thunder and lightning, and the sea swelled much: the rain poured down on ships, scourged the waves, falling on the living and the dead.
She washed the battle. Glia allies had 7,500 men killed or drowned, most of the soldiers: The cities of Italy and Spain each had a long list of dead, wept Venice Agostino Barbarigo, thirty ships' masters and heads of noble men, and hundreds and hundreds soldiers.
But far more serious losses of the Turks, who had 25,000 deaths. The Ali Pasha and Scirocco, and most of their captains killed, many prisoners, many of the best captains were taken prisoner. They were sunk or burned
15 Turkish galleys.
150 ships made up the spoils of the winners, another 50 had crashed along the coast and were then chipped and burned. Over 10,000 men were captured.
12,000 Christian slaves found on board the Turkish galleys were released and told to Christianity's victory and the glory of their saviors.
narrates the chain that Pope Pius V "being the day on October 7, 1571 in the afternoon with Archbishop Bartholomew Pussotto treasurer, Cesis and more familiar with the Cardinal, suddenly appartatosi from them, to conceal his eyes, full of joy, showing the traits of lean countenance the expression of the supreme light, addressed to the treasurer said, "Go, my lord, it is time to other business. Ringraziatene God that our army faced with the enemy gained the victory. "In Venice, the news was gone by Rande galley fast" Anzolo Gabriel "Onfrè of Justinian, which came into port" landed in the suit with prejudice ' artillaria. "The People almost delirious poured into Piazza San Marco and unanimous outburst of devotion and gratitude, prostrate before the Holy One, sang songs and giving thanks.
On October 7, the day of St. Giustina, was declared a public holiday and was one of the days when the Doge, in great pomp and parade, went to visit the church dedicated to Santa (now this church, destroyed by the fury of Napoleon, is reduced to the state school).
were also minted coins - those, precisely, "Justin" - the Doge threw a handful every time arrival at the church. In the nearby church of SS John and Paul was built on the bottom of the left transept, a beautiful chapel dedicated to "the victory of Lepanto (now called" The Rosary ") decorated with precious marbles, wooden altar frontals, beautiful paintings and for a temple altar. Upon his arrival in Venice Sebastiano Venier was bestowed the honor of triumph: he went into the harbor with his flagship with the Turkish flag victory at Lepanto trawl back. The defeat of the Turkish fleet setback marked the Ottoman expansion in the West.
MIGUEL DE CERVANTES, the author of Don Quixote, who participated in that battle you lose an arm, it says one thing: "... invested two galleys for bows in the middle of the spacious sea: they are trapped and clinging, and the soldier is no more space than what the grant two feet plank of the spur, and with this, but seeing the first ... carelessness in putting my feet would go to the deep bosom of Neptune, with all that, with dauntless heart, driven by honor that nags at him, he begins to make much of a target rifle, and try to go for such a narrow space to enemy ship. And what is more surprising is that when one fell from where it can no longer stand up to the end of the world, that's another immediately takes care of the place, and if this falls into the sea that awaits him as an enemy, another takes place, and then another, without giving it some time to die: that is the greatest value that can occur between all of the episodes of war. "
COMMENT: I state that I have not read Shibumi of Trevanian in this novel is a sort of "prequel". Satori This is very different in style from the novels of Winslow but I must say that the style that the writer has adopted for this spy story I really enjoyed it. Winslow describes very well the characters and some are truly memorable and the story slips away that is a pleasure. Maybe some situations are too much action film but ultimately do not ruin a great novel. The book does not give never stops, every page is a new and often intriguing situation that does not give breath to the reader. In short, a stroke of otimmo Winslow and now I just have to buy even Shibumi ! 
