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Marcantonio Colonna

Type Figure Region Italy Time 1535–1584 Also known as Marcantonio Colonna

Italian nobleman and naval commander, head of the Colonna family; born near Naples in 1535, he co-commanded the Holy League fleet at the Battle of Le…

Timeline

  1. 1535–1570Naples · Kingdom of NaplesMarcantonio Colonna came from the prominent Roman Colonna family, inheriting its estates and military tradition, and gained naval combat experience in the Spanish-ruled Kingdom of Naples.
  2. 1571Lepanto · MediterraneanAt the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571, Colonna served as overall commander of the combined Papal States and Spanish fleet, coordinating with Don John of Austria to rout the Ottoman navy; the battle was a major Christian victory over the Turks.
  3. 1572–1584Rome · ItalyAfter the naval victory, Colonna returned to Italy and continued in Rome as family leader and military adviser; his Lepanto exploits made him one of the most prominent military nobles of 16th-century Italy.

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