Spanish Golden Century

The roar and push of the reinforcements are felt immediately. Cae Turkish captain rendered the galley (where was Ali) and the Christians take over their banner. Luis Cabrera de Cordoba, historian of the Spanish Golden Century, tells of the battle was never more confused battle, fighting in the galleys, one by one and two or three, as they played … The look was terrible by the cries of Turks, by the shots, fire, smoke, by the cries of those who died. The sea covered in blood, the grave of many bodies that moved the waves and foaming disrupted the meetings of the galleys and artillery terrible blows of pikes, horned weapons, swords, fire, cloud of bolt … Dire was the confusion, fear, hope, fury, the tenacity, perseverance, courage, anger, fury, the pitiful death of friends, encouraging, wound, burn, burn, add water heads, arms, legs, bodies, miserable men, some without soul, spirit exhaled party, part seriously injured, finished off the Christians. The fight lasted about an hour and a half.

Sailors Christians (among whom was Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the most notable figure in Spanish literature) are imposed on the Turks and the approach to all Turkish vessels is almost unstoppable. Hundreds of bodies fall to the sea. The battle reaches its climax. The advantage, to the amazement of the hitherto invincible Turkish, became much clearer to Christians. The center of the Turkish fleet, shot gun blow, left undone, like before his right flank. Ali Baja, despite its value, was killed by seven musket fire and a soldier of Thirds, Andres Becerra, picked up the Ottoman flag and a galley slave's head off ALI offers John of Austria. He despised her with a gesture of disgust and ordered thrown overboard.

With this symbolic gesture, the battle was over. The Turkish power and prestige destroyed Spanish naval, stuck to infinity. At the Battle of Lepanto died some 30,000 Turks, 5.000 were taken prisoners, including senior officers. In addition, 15,000 slaves were found chained in the galleys and released. Among both sides lost over 200 ships and galleons. There was a prevailing view Council and ending their campaign of that year. Pius V and the Doge of Venice acknowledged that victory was due mainly to Spain and Don Juan de Austria. Although apparently Lepanto was a complete victory for members of the Holy League, the finality of the Christian victory has been discussed by many historians. Postponements, distrust between the allies and the death of Pope St. Pius V led to the misuse of the victory of Lepanto. Philip II, King of Spain, he was afraid of a new strengthening of the Franco-Turkish alliance, the Venetians were ready, after a certain time, to make a separate peace, and had it not been for the enthusiasm of Don Juan of Austria, the League would have broken … But the distrust of Philip jealousy, towards Don Juan de Austria, its slowness characteristics, resulted, after a few months, the fall of Tunis and the Goleta in the hands of the Turks (1574). So faint was the glory of Lepanto, but not the infinite glory of having defeated an army that seemed invincible.