TRENDEAtlas of the Sultans · Wars, battles and treaties
Siege · 1574
The conquest of Tunis in 1574 marked the conquest of Tunis by the Ottoman Empire over the Spanish Empire, which had seized the place a year earlier. The event virtually determined the supremacy in North Africa vied between both empires in favour of the former, sealing the Ottoman domination over eastern and central Maghreb, with the Ottoman dependencies in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli ensuing coming to experience a golden age as corsair states.
| Date | 12 July – 13 September 1574 |
|---|---|
| Location | Tunis |
| Result | Ottoman victory |
| Territorial changes | Ottomans capture Tunis |
| Belligerents | Spanish Empire | Ottoman Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Commanders | Gabrio Serbelloni (POW) | Occhiali Koca Sinan Pasha |
| Strength | Total men: 7,000 | 250–300 warships Total men: 100,000 |
| Casualties | 6,700 killed 300 prisoners | 25,000 (Spanish claim) |
The success of the Turks under Occhiali in the battle of Goleta managed in reducing Spanish pressure on the Dutch, and leading to negotiations at the Conference of Breda. After the death of Charles IX in May 1574, however, contacts weakened, although the Ottomans are said to have supported the 1575–1576 revolt, and established, in 1582, a consulate in Antwerp (De Turks-Griekse Natie). The Ottomans eventually made a truce with Spain, and shifted their attention to their conflict with Persia in the Ottoman–Safavid War (1578–1590). The Spanish crown fell into bankruptcy on 1 September 1575.
Took place during the reign of Selim II (1566–1574). Selim II
The atlas records this territorial change for the year:
Text: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), adapted for the atlas.