Warmatrix

The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 CE was one of the largest naval battles ever fought. After it, the wars that had plagued the Mediterranean largely ceased for almost a century.
Though the westward expansion of the Ottoman empire had been halted at the Siege of Malta, the struggle for dominance over the Mediterranean between Spain, Venice, Genoa and Turkey was far from over. After a brief lull the Ottomans invaded Cyprus in 1570 CE. During the attack, the christians gathered a fleet to relieve the island, but that expedition failed miserably due to divided strategical aims. Next Nicosia, the capitol of Cyprus, unsupported and badly defended by the Venetian commander, fell to the Turks.
Inspired by moral and especially financial support from the new pope Pius V, the christian powers decided to do better in the next round. A 'holy league' was created to raise a fleet. Spain paid 1/2 of it, the Italians 1/3 and the papacy 1/6. The fleet was put under the overall command of John of Austria, who was far more ambitious and daring than his cautious liege Philip of Spain. It gathered slowly and made a tour of festivities and celebrations while sailing along the Spanish, French and Italian coasts. There were fights between Spaniards and Italians, but somehow the alliance held together.
By the time it arrived in Greece, Famagusta, the second and last stronghold on Cyprus, had surrendered too and the island was lost. But John of Austria did not want another useless retreat and ordered an attack on the Turkish fleet. Despite being worn out by a long campaigning season, the Ottomans decided to give battle too. The two navies met near the Bay of Lepanto.
Most ships in the christian fleet came from Venice, many from Spain and Genoa and a few from other places. They deployed in four squadrons. On the left, close to the coast, were 53 galleys under Venetian command; John of Austria was in the center with 62 galleys; the Genoese Giovanni Andrea Doria on the right with 53 galleys; Álvaro de Bazán commanded a reserve of 38 ships in the rear. Before the main line 6 heavy Venetian galleasses were positioned. The christians had 40,000 sailors and oarsmen and 28,000 marines, including many Spanish veterans.
The Ottomans deployed in a similar formation: 57 galleys plus 2 lighter galliots on the right; 61 galleys and 32 galliots in the center; 63 galleys and 30 galliots under Uluç Ali on the left. Their reserve held only 8 galleys, 22 galliots and 64 small fustas. The Turkish ships were smaller and had less cannons, though were more maneuverable. The Turks also had less hand guns, but more archers. Their ships were manned by 13,000 sailors, 37,000 rowers (mostly slaves) and 34,000 marines.
Both fleets spent all morning lining up and trying to get their large numbers into a proper formation. Around noon they closed in on each other. The galeasses opened fire first, ripping through the Turkish lines and sinking dozens of ships. In the north, the Ottomans tried to outflank the Venetians. Their sailors could navigate the shallow coastal waters where the christians could not. The Venetians were hard pressed but the return of a galleass saved them and they turned the tide.
In the center a fierce battle raged among the capital ships and their commanders, who exposed themselves to enemy fire just to keep morale up with their presence. The cannons, mounted on the prows of the ships, could fire only one shot each before the ships clashed and the battle became a mix of small missile fire and boarding. Both sides sent in their reserves to bolster their strength.
In the meanwhile Uluç Ali maneuvered south. In order not to be outflanked, Andrea Doria mirrored him. Suddenly the Ottoman left wing wheeled back and attacked the christian center from the side, causing a lot of damage. However Doria also turned and Uluç Ali fled with 40 ships before he got trapped between two enemy squadrons. The christian fleet had won.
The fighting had lasted four hours; mopping up and looting went on until midnight. 127 Ottoman ships and 3,500 men were captured, more than 80 ships sunk and 15,000 men killed. The christians had lost 50 ships and 7,500 men. 12,000 slaves were liberated.
Despite suffering a major defeat, Ottoman naval power was not broken. In one year the fleet was rebuilt. Spain turned its attention west and north and the holy league dissolved. The Venetians had to acknowledge the loss of Cyprus and made a humble peace with the Ottomans. Yet the Turkish fleet, deprived of experienced sailors and marines, did not engage in attacks again. Around 1580 CE both Spain and the Ottoman empire were financially worn out and left the existing division of the Mediterranean untouched.