jan 1, 1571 - Battle of Lepanto

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The Battle of Lepanto was a naval battle in the wastes of southwestern Greece. It was fought between the allied Christian forces of the Holy league and the Ottomans and marked the first significant victory of a Chrisitan naval force over f the Ottomans. Sultan Selim ll was determined to acquire the Venetian island of Cyprus and invaded it in 1570. Venice appealed to Pope Pius V for help. As Pope Pius struggled to form between the Roman Catholic states of Spain, Venice, and the smaller Italian states, the Turks captured the town of Nicosia in Cyprus before laying siege to Famagusta and entering Adriatic. Not until May 25, 1571 could the Pope persuade Spain and Venice to agree to the terms of an alliance. The allied fleets assembled in Messina, sailed for Cofu, then engaged in Lepanto on October 7. The Turkish force was larger, but not as well equipped or disciplined. The battle's outcome was decided in the allied centre and left, where a Venetian force led by Sebastian Veneer provided crucial support. Although the dead on either side were around 8,000, the Chrisitan victory was complete. However, in 1573, Venice surrendered Cyprus to the Turks, exerting a great effect on European morale.

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