Mediterranean Countries

Towards the 15th century, the expansion of the Ottoman Empire seemed unstoppable. The causes are various. In principle, should mention the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the theological differences between the Oriental Churches (Byzantine) and Western (Roman). Later, and one hundred years later, the emergence of the reform, which splintered Christians in 2 irreconcilable religious fields (Christians and Protestants). However, none so critical as the huge and selfish commercial flourishing of countries (Venice and Spain), which allowed the shrewd and vertiginous rise of an empire that stretched from Algeria to the West, Austria and Ukraine to the North, Iran and Persia in the West, and the Horn of Africa to the South then, and some States. But it was not until the 16th century, when Turkish phenomenon deserved greater attention to the West. The Turks, ruled by Sultan Selim II (1524 1574), noting the weaknesses of Christian countries, had begun a series of approaches with some of them, especially with Venice, whose commercial power and strategic location in Italy greatly attracted them. Blinded by its commercial hegemony, the Venetians cautioned, quite late already, the collision with the growing Ottoman power would be inevitable.

Being a very small State, they should see with genuine amazement how in 1570, the Turks started a new group of assaults to various Mediterranean ports of Eastern Europe, in particular Cyprus, whose main port, Nicosia, was attacked with 300 ships under the command of Ali Baja (Lord of Algiers and large marine). This event forced Venice to ask for help desperately. But other countries, occupied in its long internal problems, ignore the call. Only Pope Pius V (1504 1572), which it shares with them the concern by the Muslim advance, answer them; However, the Vatican does not have enough troops, so that the same Pontiff starts talks with Felipe II Habsburgo, King of Spain, who agrees to lend his help because He understands that fall Venice, Italian and North African possessions would be at serious risk.