La guerra dei pirati e la marina pontificia dal 1500 al 1560, vol. 1

In this scholarly chronicle the tumultuous clash between the Mediterranean’s rising Muslim piracy and the fledgling Papal navy comes vividly to life. Beginning at the turn of the sixteenth century, the author traces the early efforts of Rome’s maritime forces as they confront raiders who threaten coastal towns and trade routes, setting the stage for a prolonged struggle that would shape the region’s politics and commerce.

Through the lens of six distinguished captains—Lodovico del Mosca, Baldassarre da Biassa, Paolo Vettori, Andrea Doria, Bernardo Salviati, and Virginio Orsini—the narrative weaves together contemporary accounts, archival documents, and technical details of shipbuilding, artillery, and naval tactics. The first volume captures the urgency of the papal response, the interplay of religious motives and strategic imperatives, and the human stories of commanders who dared to patrol dangerous waters.

Listeners will be drawn into a richly textured portrait of early‑modern naval warfare, where ambition, faith, and the relentless sea meet, offering a compelling glimpse into a pivotal era of Mediterranean history.