← Explore on the interactive map

Charles VIII's Invasion of Italy

Type Event Region Europe Time 1494–1495

In 1494, French King Charles VIII, claiming the Anjou family's right to the Neapolitan throne, led a large army across the Alps into Italy, swiftly o…

Timeline

  1. 1494Paris · FranceOn the basis of the Valois-Anjou claim to the Neapolitan throne, and urged on by figures such as Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, Charles VIII decided to invade Italy, assembling an army of about 25,000 men with artillery.
  2. 1494Alpine passes—Lombardy · Northern ItalyThe French army entered Italy through the Alpine passes and marched south with the tacit consent or cooperation of states such as Milan, meeting almost no effective resistance along the way and quickly crossing Tuscany toward Rome.
  3. 1494–1495Rome—Naples · ItalyAfter entering Rome, the French forced Pope Alexander VI to recognize their claim, then continued south; Alfonso II abdicated, and the French occupied Naples in early 1495.
  4. 1495Northern Italy · ItalyVenice, Milan, the Papal States, Spain, and others formed the Holy League against France; facing supply problems and league pressure, Charles VIII decided to withdraw north, fighting the league's forces at Fornovo before returning to France.

Sources