History Focus
October 7

Turks vanquished in Mediterranean. Organized Christians defeat Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Don Juan de Austria.

In 1511 a Holy League of forces from Spain, Venice, Genoa, and the Vatican was formed by Pope Julius II. This Christian coalition was formed to battle the Turkish Ottoman Empire. It was believed, however, that the Ottoman Turks were invincible. On October 7, 1571,a Holy League of Naval forces battled the Ottoman Turks in the Gulf of Lepanto, Greece. The commander of the Holy League's Navy was the dashing Don Juan de Austria. A 24 year old from Spain who managed to weld disparate fleets into an effective force against the Turks. Under his command the myth of Turkish military invincibility was exploded.

The fleets were evenly matched with about 200 galleys and 80,000 men on each side. Christian galley slaves accounted for half of the Turkish fleet's manpower. Both sides sustained heavy casualties, but the Holy League won decisively. Turkish galley losses were estimated at about 150, while the Holy League's galley losses were estimated at 15.
At the end of the battle 12,000 Christian galley slaves were freed. The Spanish novelist Cervantes was a young sailor in the battle and lost the use of his left hand. He was called "el manco de Lepanto," the one-handed man from Lepanto.

This battle was the first major victory of the Christians against the Ottoman Empire. It was of little practical impact against the mighty Ottoman Empire. It was, however, psychologically important to the Christian forces. The Turks retained supremacy on land and quickly renewed their naval fleet.

Sources: On This Day | Microsoft(R) Encarta(R)