The Battle Hostile_encounter of Lepanto was a naval engagement Hostile_encounter that took place Process_start on 7 October 1571 when a fleet Military_operation of the Holy League , a coalition of European Catholic states arranged Arranging by Pope Pius V , inflicted a major defeat on the fleet Military_operation of the Ottoman Empire in the Gulf of Patras .

The Ottoman forces Military_operation were sailing Motion westward from their naval station in `` Lepanto '' ( the Venetian name of ancient `` Naupactus '' , Ottoman `` '' ) when they met Come_together the fleet Military_operation of the Holy League which was sailing Motion east from Messina , Sicily .

In the history of naval warfare Hostile_encounter , Lepanto marks the last major engagement Hostile_encounter in the Western world to be fought Hostile_encounter almost entirely between rowing vessels , namely the galleys and galeasses which were the direct descendants of ancient trireme warships .

Historian Paul K. Davis writes that , `` More than a military Military_operation victory , Lepanto was a moral one .

The defeat Conquering at Lepanto further exemplified Change_event_time the rapid deterioration Damaging of Ottoman might under Selim II , and Christians rejoiced at this setback Hindering for the Ottomans .