herakles
10-04-2008, 02:43
Turkey occupied Greece for over 400 years. During that time, the Greeks were subjugated. They were not allowed to practice their religion openly. It wasn't until 1831 that the Turks were eventually hounded out. And relations between the two countries are still poor.
Few attempts were made by Christian countries to do much about this situation until the early 1800's. But there is one exception. This was the battle of Lepanto off Nafpaktos between a Turkish and a Christian fleet.
Nafpaktos today is a pleasant small town of 12,000 people on the north side of the Gulf of Corinth. It is the end point of an amazing bridge that now spans the Gulf linking Rio in the Peleponnosos on the south side to Nafpaktos. From Nafpaktos, it is a small charming drive to Delphi.
The Turkish fleet - about 330 galleys and support ships - was harboured at Nafpaktos and aware that a Christian fleet was somewhere nearby (commanded by Don Juan of Austria). They moved out and anchored in the Gulf. Scout ships were sent out. Soon one returned with the news that the Christian fleet was at Kephelonia, an island to the west of the Gulf entrance.
(Kephelonia was occupied by the Germans and Italians during WW2. This period forms the background to the famous novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières.)
Soon after, scouts signalled that the Christian fleet was entering the Gulf. The Turks immediately went to battle stations.
The battle itself was a disaster for the Turks. They were completely destroyed. The Christians showed no mercy and the slaughter was on an impressive scale. The battle was the standard naval one, both sides lined up facing each other. It as all over by about 4pm.
The Christians lost only about 12 ships but a large number of men - about 7000 killed. The Turks lost all but about 50 galleys. About 117 galleys were captured, the rest destroyed. They lost about 75,000 men killed and 5000 taken prisoner. About 10,000 Christian galley slaves were liberated. For the first time in its history, Turkey was without a fleet.
News of the victory spread across Europe. For the first time, Europeans came to consider that the Turks were not invincible. The battle also started the decline of Turkey as a major force. But this took many centuries, culminating in their final collapse after World War 1.
Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, described the battle in some detail in the book. He was present at the time, serving in the Spanish Infantry. He was wounded there.
The Turks did recover and had a new fleet of about 250 galleys a year later. They formed off Cape Matapan demanding another battle. This was declined.
(Don Juan of Austria is the name of an opera by Australia's first recognised serious composer, Isaac Nathan (1790-1864). This man is the great-great-great grandfather of the Australian Sir Charles Mackerras. Nathan was born in Kent, a friend of Byron and was once a secret agent for George IV and William IV. He was choirmaster at St. Mary's Cathedral Sydney, an odd role for a Jew to perform.)
Few attempts were made by Christian countries to do much about this situation until the early 1800's. But there is one exception. This was the battle of Lepanto off Nafpaktos between a Turkish and a Christian fleet.
Nafpaktos today is a pleasant small town of 12,000 people on the north side of the Gulf of Corinth. It is the end point of an amazing bridge that now spans the Gulf linking Rio in the Peleponnosos on the south side to Nafpaktos. From Nafpaktos, it is a small charming drive to Delphi.
The Turkish fleet - about 330 galleys and support ships - was harboured at Nafpaktos and aware that a Christian fleet was somewhere nearby (commanded by Don Juan of Austria). They moved out and anchored in the Gulf. Scout ships were sent out. Soon one returned with the news that the Christian fleet was at Kephelonia, an island to the west of the Gulf entrance.
(Kephelonia was occupied by the Germans and Italians during WW2. This period forms the background to the famous novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières.)
Soon after, scouts signalled that the Christian fleet was entering the Gulf. The Turks immediately went to battle stations.
The battle itself was a disaster for the Turks. They were completely destroyed. The Christians showed no mercy and the slaughter was on an impressive scale. The battle was the standard naval one, both sides lined up facing each other. It as all over by about 4pm.
The Christians lost only about 12 ships but a large number of men - about 7000 killed. The Turks lost all but about 50 galleys. About 117 galleys were captured, the rest destroyed. They lost about 75,000 men killed and 5000 taken prisoner. About 10,000 Christian galley slaves were liberated. For the first time in its history, Turkey was without a fleet.
News of the victory spread across Europe. For the first time, Europeans came to consider that the Turks were not invincible. The battle also started the decline of Turkey as a major force. But this took many centuries, culminating in their final collapse after World War 1.
Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, described the battle in some detail in the book. He was present at the time, serving in the Spanish Infantry. He was wounded there.
The Turks did recover and had a new fleet of about 250 galleys a year later. They formed off Cape Matapan demanding another battle. This was declined.
(Don Juan of Austria is the name of an opera by Australia's first recognised serious composer, Isaac Nathan (1790-1864). This man is the great-great-great grandfather of the Australian Sir Charles Mackerras. Nathan was born in Kent, a friend of Byron and was once a secret agent for George IV and William IV. He was choirmaster at St. Mary's Cathedral Sydney, an odd role for a Jew to perform.)