Battle+of+Lepanto

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The battle of Lepanto began in 1571. After the ottoman Turks under the sultan Selim II captured Cyprus from the Venetians in an attempt to stem Venetian influence in the Mediterranean, the combined Christian forces of Spain under Phillip II, Venice, The Papal States under Pope Pius V, Genoa, Savoy, and Malta formed the Holy League. Don John, Phillip's brother, lead the Holy League into naval battle with the Turks. They assembled in Sicily and confronted the Turks in the Gulf of Patras. The Holy League had 206 galleys (ships) and 6 gallasses, or large galleys with mounted artillery. The Turks under the command of Ali Pasha had 230 galleys and 56 galliots (or small galleys). Don John divided his fleet into four sections, three in the front, and one in the back. The ottomans did similarly. The Ottoman left and right flank began driving back the Christian Holy League, however Don John in the center was able to board Ali Pasha's ship and kill him, ruining Ottoman morale. After this victory the Holy League turned the tide of the battle and drove back the Turks.
 * __Battle Overview:__**

|| Ottoman loses || -13,000 men || -210 ships(117 captured) -25,000 men ||
 * Cristian loses
 * -50 ships



Probably the most important impact of this battle was that it was seen as the major turning point between Europeans and Ottoman Turks and stopped Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean. The Battle of Lepanto, along with the battles of Leningrad and Stalingrad, was one of the major turning points of European military history. The holy League's victory greatly boosted European morale. The Holy League also had influence in other things than this battle, such as the Savanarola affair. This was the last battle with galleys, as many new types of ships where invented later on, such as the submarine which was advanced greatly between WW1 and WW2. Spain's alliance with the Papal States was more reinforced by the recent Spanish Inquisition. Many artists painted pictures of this battle such as Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto. The battle also had long term effects, and even though the Christians recaptured Cyprus, it was ultimately lost to the Turks. Also the Pope declared the festivy of St. Mary a holiday to honor this victory. The Battle of Lepanto was seen as the "last Crusade" as it was one of the last major Europeans battles fought in the name of Christianity.
 * __Impact:__**

http://blog.bountybayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/lepanto.jpg http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/navalbattles14011600/p/lepanto.htm http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/336733/Battle-of-Lepanto http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Battle_of_Lepanto http://www.romeartlover.it/Storia22.html http://www.nafpaktos.com/images/battle_of_lepanto.htm_txt_lwf341.gif Back to group 4 page
 * __Sources__**