2. Suleiman (1494-1566) Great Grandson of Mehmet the conquerer Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Inherited throne at 23 years old Led the invasion of Rhodes Is allied with the French to fight against Charles V Died at the age of 72
3. Charles V (1500-1558) King of the Holy Roman Empire Suleiman’s rival Had victory against Suleiman in the Siege of Vienna Had health problems due to generations of inbreeding in the family Died at 58
4. Pope St. Pius V Wanted to succeed where his predecessors failed He wanted to form a Christian alliance to confront the Ottomans He formed the Holy League He excommunicated Elizabeth I of England
5. Don Juan of Austria He is the illegitimate son of Charles V Was a military leader for his brother Philip of Spain He was the leader for the Holy League which fought against the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto
6. The Battle for Malta(1565) The Ottoman Empire fought against the Knights Hospitallerand Christians. The Ottomans were lead by Mustapha. The knights were lead by Jean de Valette. The Christians were able to push the Ottomans out of Malta. Mustapha notified the news of defeat to Suleiman. Suleiman said that those who fought in Malta should be rewarded and promoted. The defeat was deleted from imperial record. Despite the Christians winning the battle, they knew that the Ottoman Empire was still a danger. It would just be a matter of time before they strike back. Malta was in ruins and many of its people were killed. People knew that Malta will not end the Ottoman ambition. The defeat did not change the Ottoman presence in the Mediterranean.
7. Battle of Lepanto (1571) This was a battle between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League and took place on October 7, 1571. The Holy League was an alliance of many Catholic powers formed by Pope St. Pius V. Don Juan of Austria was the leader of the Holy League. The battle was a victory for the Holy League. Although the battle was only a day, 40,000 men were killed. 25,000 of them were Ottoman soldiers. 12,000 Christian slaves were liberated.
