Leonardo the Goat

[Insidious Von]

That's what Leo di Caprio's name translates to, but this topic isn't about him.

In the 1560's the Ottoman Empire reached it's greatest extent when it conquered Cyprus from the Venetians. The Siege of Famagusta was very bloody, the survivors were beheaded and the commander skinned alive. To this day the Turks have held the town, the Venetian Cathedral is known as Lala Mustapha Pasha Mosque after the island's conqueror. They didn't know it at the time, it would be the last great military victory the Ottomans would have. The Europeans had achieved artillery superiority, the Ottomans could still field huge armies but their future wars would be of attrition.

Obviously the Germans and Hungarians took Leonardo's crazy ideas seriously.

 

[Insidious Von]

The Ottoman's had become too barbaric in their methods, the Europeans had to respond or die trying. Their artillery superiority was put to the test. On Oct 4 1571 the Holy League faced off against the Ottoman navy in the Gulf of Patras Greece.

 

[Insidious Von]

Pasha's are still around, they were once the Sultan's military leaders. They are central to the Turkish oligarchy.