| − | The '''Battle of Lepanto''' was a decisive naval engagement fought on 7 October 1571. A Turkish fleet of about 275 [[galley]]s and other ships under Ali Pasha clashed with a Christian force of about 230 galleys and [[galleass]]es (hybrid oar-powered and wind-driven vessels, much larger than galleys). The Christian fleet was mostly from the nations of [[Spain]] and [[Venice]], and was commanded by Don John of Austria, the illegitimate son of Emperor [[Charles V]] and half-brother of [[Philip II of Spain]]. | + | The '''Battle of Lepanto''' was a decisive Christian naval victory on October 7, 1571. A Turkish fleet of about 275 [[galley]]s and other ships under Ali Pasha clashed with a Christian force of about 230 galleys and [[galleass]]es (hybrid oar-powered and wind-driven vessels, much larger than galleys). The Christian fleet was mostly from the nations of [[Spain]] and [[Venice]], and was commanded by Don John of Austria, the illegitimate son of Emperor [[Charles V]] and half-brother of [[Philip II of Spain]]. |
| | The battle was fought in the Gulf of Patras, off western [[Greece]], and the outcome was a massive victory for the Christian fleet. The Turks suffered about 15,000-20,000 killed, out of 88,000 engaged; Christians lost 7,650 dead and 8,000 injured from a force of 84,000. Out of 230 Ottoman galleys, 80 were sunk and 130 captured.<ref> The numbers vary widely among the sources. Most of the oarsmen in the Turkish fleet were enslaved Christians; those who were captured by Don Juan were freed.</ref> | | The battle was fought in the Gulf of Patras, off western [[Greece]], and the outcome was a massive victory for the Christian fleet. The Turks suffered about 15,000-20,000 killed, out of 88,000 engaged; Christians lost 7,650 dead and 8,000 injured from a force of 84,000. Out of 230 Ottoman galleys, 80 were sunk and 130 captured.<ref> The numbers vary widely among the sources. Most of the oarsmen in the Turkish fleet were enslaved Christians; those who were captured by Don Juan were freed.</ref> |