Simone Pillon recalled the Battle of Lepanto, fought on October 7, 1571, describing it as a clash between Christians and Muslims. He wrote that the Holy League, composed of Austrians, Spaniards, Venetians, Lombards, Romagnols, Tuscans, Savoyards, Genoese, Sicilians, and Neapolitans, deployed under the command of Don John of Austria 6 galleasses and about 204 galleys. According to Pillon, the Turkish fleet of Ali Pasha consisted of 170-180 galleys, 20 or 30 galliots, and an unspecified number of xebecs and privateer brigs. Pillon reported that Pope Pius V had a premonition and prayed the rosary during the battle, while the Christian fighters received the Eucharist before setting sail. He wrote that, despite the Turkish numerical superiority and the initially favorable wind for the Ottomans, the direction of the wind changed, and the Holy League won. In his account, Pillon indicated that the Turks lost 80 galleys sunk and 117 captured, along with 27 galliots sunk and 13 captured; he added that 30,000 Turks were killed or injured, and 8,000 were taken prisoner. He also claimed that 15,000 Christians enslaved at the oars were freed. He said that Pius V dedicated the victory to Our Lady of the Rosary and that October 7 became the feast of the Rosary. Pillon finally wrote that, in his view, the Christian West was facing new battles, some already open, and hoped that they would be bloodless and victorious. He wondered if there were still strong men capable of protecting the lands and families. #Lepanto #Storia #Battaglie (translated)
