Bronze medal struck in Rome in honor of John of Austria (Don Juan de Austria) for his victory as leader of the Christian fleet in the Battle of Nafpaktos. The medal is associated with an event of key historical importance, the glorious victory of the united Christian forces against the Ottoman fleet near Nafpaktos (7 October 1571). The reverse of the medal depicts John of Austria on a column bearing ramrods (columna rostralis), crowned by Nike, while on a second level the two fleets clash. The depiction of the victorious admiral recalls the similar representation of Octavian on denarii issued after his victory in the Battle of Actium (2 September 31 BC). It is a work by the engraver Giovanni Melon, an important representative of the Italian school of medal art during the late Renaissance.
John of Austria (Don Juan de Austria, 1547-1578) Illegitimate son of the Habsburg emperor Charles V. He was born in Germany (Regensburg) and raised in Spain. He had been recognized as a half-brother and Infante by the legitimate heir to the Spanish throne, Philip II. Don Juan (or Don Giovanni d’Austria) had already distinguished himself in 1568 against the Barbary pirates. Taking command of the united Christian fleet in 1571 at the age of 24 (as noted on the medal), the Spanish prince successfully carried out the difficult coordination of the Christian forces in the victorious Battle of Nafpaktos. In 1576 he was entrusted with the governance of the Spanish Netherlands and the subsequent suppression of the Dutch Revolution. He died of typhus in the autumn of 1578 near Namur, which he had captured at the beginning of the same year. Battle of Naupactus (October 7, 1571) In the dramatic confrontation that took place near the Echinades islets, the fleet of Sultan Selim II (1566-1574) and the fleet of the “Holy League” (Sacra Liga Antiturca) faced each other. The Christian coalition consisted of approximately 210 ships, mainly galleys: half of the armada was made up of Venetian vessels, the presence of Spanish ships was also strong, while other Christian powers – the Papal States, the Knights Hospitaller of Malta, Genoa, Savoy, etc. – were represented with a few galleys. The Ottoman fleet was lined up with approximately 230 galleys and 50 smaller ships. The Battle of Nafpaktos was the last major naval conflict with rowed ships. Although it was celebrated as a triumph of the Christian world over a hitherto almost invincible enemy, its results were ephemeral. As the Ottoman side aptly observed, the previous loss of Cyprus (August 1571) for the Venetians was equivalent to the loss of an arm, the destruction of the Ottoman fleet corresponded to the uprooting of a beard, which could grow back. Nevertheless, the echo of the naval battle can be traced in many works of Western art (e.g. Tintoretto, Veronese, Titian) and literature (e.g. G. K. Chesterton). Giovanni V. Melon, Mil(l)on or Melone (Italian engraver, second half of the 16th century) Giovanni Melon was probably from Cremona and may have been the nephew of the painter Altobello Melone or Milone. He is considered a prominent representative of the Italian school of metalworkers during the late Renaissance. He variously inscribed his works, which date from about 1571 to 1589: MELON, MILON or MILLON. He probably worked mainly in Rome and Italy, and some of his best-known works were published for cardinals and pontiffs.