Throughout history, wars between rulers and commanders have led to unforgettable struggles and altered the course of history. The Battle of Preveza, which took place in the 16th century between Andrea Doria and Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, is one such memorable conflict that reshaped history, establishing Ottoman dominance in the Mediterranean and cementing its place as a pivotal naval battle.
Andrea Doria was a renowned naval commander affiliated with the Republic of Genoa. The Genoese had risen to prominence from the 13th century onwards, establishing colonies in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, becoming a significant trading power. Despite intense conflicts with the Venetians over supremacy and trade, the Genoese had fostered good relations with the Ottomans for their commercial interests since the early days of the Ottoman Empire.
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, known as a feared Turkish naval commander in the Mediterranean, initially engaged in piracy before entering Ottoman service after capturing Algiers. He and his brother Oruç Reis had been a thorn in the side of the Genoese in Tunis and Algiers. However, following a clash in 1512, Andrea Doria gained fame for defeating Barbaros.
Afterwards, Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha settled on the island of Cerbe and built his strength anew. Subsequently, he captured Algiers, and Oruç Reis was declared the Sultan of Algiers. The two brothers later garnered the support of the Ottoman Sultan Selim by sending a share of their spoils. After Oruç Reis was martyred by the Spaniards in 1517, Barbaros strengthened his ties with the Ottoman Empire and Sultan Selim, seeking his support. Meanwhile, Andrea Doria attempted to attack Barbaros, but he was unsuccessful.
In 1531, Andrea Doria, aiming to consolidate his dominance in Algiers, again attacked Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha but suffered a heavy defeat and was forced to withdraw.
Upon the death of Sultan Selim, his successor Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent focused on strengthening the Ottoman naval power in the Mediterranean. Andrea Doria's allegiance to Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor and also the King of Spain, led to an alliance against Barbaros and Sultan Suleiman. In response to signals indicating the formation of a Crusader fleet in Europe, Sultan Suleiman invited Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha to Istanbul in 1534 and appointed him as the Chief Admiral.
By 1538, Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, under the Ottoman flag, possessed a formidable navy and solidified Turkish dominance in the Mediterranean. Concerned about these developments, Charles V, Pope Paul III, and other European powers gathered a Crusader fleet, appointing Andrea Doria as its commander. The coalition included Venice, the Papacy, Portugal, Malta, and Charles V's Spanish fleet.
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha led his fleet to anchor in the Narda Gulf, near the Preveza Fortress in northwest Greece, strategically placing his back against the land and creating a secure zone. This shrewd maneuver caught Andrea Doria off guard. Despite initial plans to draw Barbaros out of the Gulf, Doria was surprised by the audacity of this move.
In the ensuing Battle of Preveza on the morning of September 28, 1538, Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha's navy, arranged in a crescent formation, confronted the Haçlı fleet. Andrea Doria, taken aback by this bold move, had to hastily prepare for battle.
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, with coordinated maneuvers and the unity of his ships and marines, secured a historic victory against the much larger Crusader fleet. He captured around 30 enemy ships and took approximately 3,000 prisoners. Andrea Doria's reputation was tarnished, and he never dared to face Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha again.
The Battle of Preveza marked a turning point in history, establishing Ottoman dominance in the Mediterranean and ensuring the safety of trade routes. It was a triumph of strategy and unity over sheer numbers and technological superiority.
The Victory at Preveza: Ottoman Supremacy in the Mediterranean
Following the decisive victory at the Battle of Preveza, Ottoman dominance in the Mediterranean was firmly established. The significance of this victory cannot be overstated, as it led to the consolidation of Ottoman control over the region and secured vital trade routes.
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