The Military Status of the Ionian Islands in 1589 based on the Report by Giovanni Battista del Monte

Abstract

In the late 1580s the weaknesses in the military sector of all the Venetian possessions in the Levant were evident. To remedy the problem, it was decided by the Senate that an experienced military actor would be sent to the area, whose mission would be to examine the existing problems, obtain a well-rounded idea of the situation and submit concrete proposals. The person chosen was Giovanni Battista del Monte, an experienced military man, who was provided with explicit instructions regarding the route to follow. The officer departed on his mission in early October 1588. He first visited Crete, then Kythera (Cerigo), Zakynthos (Zante), Cephalonia and Corfu. On his return to Venice, he also stopped in Zara and the rest of the Dalmatian fortresses. In all the regions visited, he closely examined their defence potential and recommended specific solutions. His greatest interest was in recording and improving the land forces. On completion of his mission, he gave an overall picture of the military status in the eastern Mediterranean in a report submitted in late August 1589. This article aims at summarising Giovanni Battista del Monte’s mission in the Levant. Particular emphasis is placed on the military status of the Ionian Islands and the measures proposed for strengthenig their defence.