Siege of Rhodes 1480

In 1480, the Knights Hospitaller defended Rhodes against an Ottoman attack led by Mesih Pasha, who commanded 160 ships and 70,000 men. The Ottomans aimed to capture strategic points like the Tower of St Nicholas but faced fierce resistance from the Knights, including Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson. Key battles occurred on June 9 near Mandraki Harbor and later in July when Janissaries infiltrated the city. Despite heavy casualties, the Knights repelled the Ottomans, capturing their holy standard. The siege ended on August 17, 1480, after Sultan Mehmed II's death, which halted further attacks. Rhodes fell to the Ottomans during another siege in 1521-22.

Historical accounts of the siege include works by Gulielmus Caoursin and Pierre d'Aubusson, with Johann Snell's printing in Denmark being one of the earliest book printings there. These sources provide insights into the battle's details and its significance in medieval history.