Final answer:
The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 was a significant naval battle between the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic maritime states including Spain, Venice, and the Papal States, and the Ottoman Empire. It marked the last major naval battle in the Mediterranean fought entirely between galleys and halted the westward expansion of the Ottoman Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 was a key naval engagement in the Mediterranean during the height of the Ottoman Empire. It was fought between the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic maritime states including Spain, Venice, and the Papal States, against the Ottoman Empire, a predominant power in the eastern Mediterranean at the time.
This battle is particularly noted for being the last major naval battle in the Mediterranean fought entirely between galleys, which were powered by rowers. The commander of the Holy League's fleet was Don John of Austria, while the Ottoman forces were led by Ali Pasha. The victory of the Holy League effectively halted the westward expansion of the Ottoman Empire.
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