Venice, with one of the greatest fleets the Mediterranean has ever seen, ruled the seas for centuries. From Lepanto to the Dardanelles: a vivid account of the battles that shaped Venice and the world.

Venice was rightly called “the Queen of the Adriatic”: over six centuries, the galleys and warships flying the flag of Saint Mark won numerous victories, faced defeats, and even staged the invention of battles that never truly occurred. Through ten pivotal naval engagements – from legendary clashes like Lepanto to the epic confrontations at the Dardanelles – Alessandro Marzo Magno offers a vivid account of Venice’s maritime might, blending political and military history with social life, innovation, and human drama. The sailors of the winged lion were pioneers of naval artillery, amphibious warfare, and daring commando operations, repeatedly overcoming opponents with vastly superior resources, such as the Ottoman Empire, thanks to their seamanship and ingenuity. Page after page, the book immerses readers in courage, sacrifice, fortune, and the roar of oars and cannons, revealing how myths, propaganda, and innovation shaped the Republic’s identity as much as the battles themselves. A gripping narrative that brings to life the rise, dominance, and eventual decline of Venice on the waves.