Lepanto, Battle of

Sea battle on 7 October 1571 between the Ottoman Empire and ‘Holy League’ forces from Spain, Venice, Genoa, and the Papal States jointly commanded by the Spanish soldier Don John of Austria. The battle took place in the Mediterranean Gulf of Corinth off Lepanto (the Greek port of Naupaktos), then in Turkish possession. It was not decisive, but the combined western fleets halted Turkish expansion and broke Muslim sea power.

The Holy League fleet numbered 202 galleys, against an estimated 275-strong Turkish fleet; both fleets were divided into three squadrons. The Turkish centre squadron, after several hours of fighting, was completely defeated by a Spanish squadron. While this battle was in progress the Turkish right flank attempted to move round and take the Christian left flank in the rear, but the manoeuvre failed, and the Venetian squadron drove the Turks into a bay and there destroyed them. The third Christian squadron, the Genoese, decoyed the third Turkish squadron and by skilful manoeuvre managed to keep it occupied without allowing the two sides to close in to fighting range. Once the other two Christian squadrons had defeated their opponents, they turned and came to the aid of the Genoese. After a further battle, the Turkish commander managed to escape with only 20 galleys. The Turks are said to have lost 190 galleys captured, 30,000 killed, 10,000 prisoners, and 12,000 slaves who were freed by the Christians. The Christians lost 7,500 killed. It was the last major naval engagement to be fought by galleys.