Battle of Meloria (1284)
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Meloria was fought between 5 and 6 August 1284 near the Meloria
islet, in the Tyrrhenian Sea
between the Genoese
and the Pisan
fleet, as part of the Genoese-Pisan War. The victory of Genoa, and the destruction of the Pisan fleet marked the decline of the Republic of Pisa.
in Crimea
, where the Genoese colony of Caffa was established. The alliance with the restored Byzantine Empire
increased the wealth and power of Genoa, and simultaneously decreased Venetian
and Pisan commerce. The Byzantine Empire had granted the majority of free trading rights to Genoa. In 1282 Pisa
tried to gain control of the commerce and administration of Corsica
, when the judge of Cinarca, Sinucello, revolted against Genoa and asked for Pisan support.
In August, 1282 part of the Genoese fleet blockaded Pisan commerce near the river Arno
. During 1283 both Genoa and Pisa made war preparations. Pisa gathered soldiers from Tuscany and appointed captains from its noble families. Genoa built 120 galleys, sixty of which belonged to the Republic, while the other sixty galleys were rented to individuals. For this fleet at least 15,000 to 17,000 rowers and seamen were necessary (all freemen and using their arms in battle).
and Sassari
in Sardinia
. A part of the Genoese merchant fleet defeated a Pisan force, while travelling to the Byzantine Empire
. The Genoese fleet blocked Porto Pisano, and attacked Pisan ships travelling in the Mediterranean sea
. A Genoese force of thirty ships led by Benedetto Zaccaria travelled to Porto Torres, to support Genoese forces which were besieging Sassari.
, of fifty-eight galleys, and eight panfili, a class of light galleys of eastern origin named after the province of Pamphylia
. Oberto Doria
, the Genoese admiral, was stationed in the center and in advance of his line. To the right were the galleys of the Spinola
family, among those of four of the eight "companies" into which Genoa was divided: Castello, Piazzalunga, Macagnana and San Lorenzo. To the left were the galleys of the Doria
s and of the other four companies, Porta, Soziglia, Porta Nuova and Il Borgo.
The second line of twenty galleys, under the command of Benedetto Zaccaria, was placed so far behind the first that the Pisans could not see whether it was made up of war-vessels or of small craft meant to act as tenders to the others. Yet it was near enough to strike in and decide the battle when the action had begun.
The Pisans, commanded by the Podestà
Morosini and his lieutenants Ugolino della Gherardesca
and Andreotto Saraceno, came out in a single body. It is said that while the Archbishop
was blessing the fleet the silver cross of his archiepiscopal staff fell off, but that the omen was disregarded by the irreverence of the Pisans, who declared that if they had the wind they could do without divine help.
The Pisan fleet advanced in line abreast to meet the first line of the Genoese, fighting according to the medieval custom of ramming and boarding. The victory was decided for Genoa by the squadron of Zaccaria, which fell on the flank of the Pisans. Their fleet was nearly annihilated, the Podestà was taken, and Ugolino fled with a few vessels.
and Lucca
it could never recover from the disaster. Two years later Genoa took Porto Pisano, the city's access to the sea, and filled up the harbor. As a permanent consequence of this defeat, Pisa lost once and for all its role as a major Mediterranean
naval power and as regional power of Tuscany
, being overshadowed and finally conquered, in 1406, by Florence.
The count Ugolino was afterwards starved to death with several of his sons and grandsons in the manner made familiar by the 32nd canto of Dante
's Inferno. One famous captive of the battle was Rustichello da Pisa
, who co-wrote Marco Polo
's account of his travels, Il Milione
.
Meloria
Meloria is a rocky islet, surrounded by a shoal, off the Tuscan coast, in the Ligurian Sea, almost opposite Livorno. It was the scene of two naval battles of the Middle Ages....
islet, in the Tyrrhenian Sea
Tyrrhenian Sea
The Tyrrhenian Sea is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy.-Geography:The sea is bounded by Corsica and Sardinia , Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Basilicata and Calabria and Sicily ....
between the Genoese
Republic of Genoa
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
and the Pisan
Republic of Pisa
The Republic of Pisa was a de facto independent state centered on the Tuscan city of Pisa during the late tenth and eleventh centuries. It rose to become an economic powerhouse, a commercial center whose merchants dominated Mediterranean and Italian trade for a century before being surpassed and...
fleet, as part of the Genoese-Pisan War. The victory of Genoa, and the destruction of the Pisan fleet marked the decline of the Republic of Pisa.
Background
In the 13th century the Republic of Genoa conquered numerous settlementsGenoese colonies
The colonies of the Republic of Genoa were a series of economic and trade posts in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Some of them had been established directly under the patronage of the republican authorities to support the economy of the local merchants , while others originated as feudal...
in Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
, where the Genoese colony of Caffa was established. The alliance with the restored Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
increased the wealth and power of Genoa, and simultaneously decreased Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
and Pisan commerce. The Byzantine Empire had granted the majority of free trading rights to Genoa. In 1282 Pisa
Republic of Pisa
The Republic of Pisa was a de facto independent state centered on the Tuscan city of Pisa during the late tenth and eleventh centuries. It rose to become an economic powerhouse, a commercial center whose merchants dominated Mediterranean and Italian trade for a century before being surpassed and...
tried to gain control of the commerce and administration of Corsica
Medieval Corsica
The history of Corsica in the medieval period begins with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the invasions of various Germanic peoples in the fifth century and ends with the complete subjection of the island to the authority of the Bank of San Giorgio in 1511.-Eastern Imperial...
, when the judge of Cinarca, Sinucello, revolted against Genoa and asked for Pisan support.
In August, 1282 part of the Genoese fleet blockaded Pisan commerce near the river Arno
Arno
The Arno is a river in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the most important river of central Italy after the Tiber.- Source and route :The river originates on Mount Falterona in the Casentino area of the Apennines, and initially takes a southward curve...
. During 1283 both Genoa and Pisa made war preparations. Pisa gathered soldiers from Tuscany and appointed captains from its noble families. Genoa built 120 galleys, sixty of which belonged to the Republic, while the other sixty galleys were rented to individuals. For this fleet at least 15,000 to 17,000 rowers and seamen were necessary (all freemen and using their arms in battle).
Prelude to battle
In early 1284 the Genoese fleet tried to conquer Porto TorresPorto Torres
Porto Torres is a comune and city in northern Sardinia, in the Province of Sassari.It is situated on the north coast about 25 km east of the Gorditanian promontory , and on the spacious bay of the Gulf of Asinara.-History:...
and Sassari
Sassari
Sassari is an Italian city. It is the second-largest city of Sardinia in terms of population with about 130,000 inhabitants, or about 300,000 including the greater metropolitan area...
in Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
. A part of the Genoese merchant fleet defeated a Pisan force, while travelling to the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. The Genoese fleet blocked Porto Pisano, and attacked Pisan ships travelling in the Mediterranean sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. A Genoese force of thirty ships led by Benedetto Zaccaria travelled to Porto Torres, to support Genoese forces which were besieging Sassari.
Battle
The Genoese, desiring to draw their enemy out to battle, and to make the action decisive, arranged their fleet in two lines abreast. The first was composed, according to Agostino GiustinianiAgostino Giustiniani
Agostino Giustiniani was an Italian Catholic bishop, linguist and geographer.-Biography:Giustiniani was born at Genoa into a noble family...
, of fifty-eight galleys, and eight panfili, a class of light galleys of eastern origin named after the province of Pamphylia
Pamphylia
In ancient geography, Pamphylia was the region in the south of Asia Minor, between Lycia and Cilicia, extending from the Mediterranean to Mount Taurus . It was bounded on the north by Pisidia and was therefore a country of small extent, having a coast-line of only about 75 miles with a breadth of...
. Oberto Doria
Oberto Doria
Oberto D'Oria was an Italian politician and admiral of the Republic of Genoa.-Biography:He was born at Genoa, a member of the powerful Ghibelline family of the D'Oria, and the brother of Lamba Doria. On 28 October 1270, together with latter, as Capitano del Popolo he started a joint dictatorship...
, the Genoese admiral, was stationed in the center and in advance of his line. To the right were the galleys of the Spinola
Spinola
Spinola may refer to:*Spinola family a leading political family in Genoa in the 13th and 14th Centuries.-People:* Battista Spinola, 16th century Doge of Genoa* Benedict Spinola , a 16th century Genoese merchant in London...
family, among those of four of the eight "companies" into which Genoa was divided: Castello, Piazzalunga, Macagnana and San Lorenzo. To the left were the galleys of the Doria
Doria
Doria, originally de Auria , meaning "the sons of Auria", and then de Oria or d'Oria, is the name of an old and extremely wealthy Genoese family who played a major role in the history of the Republic of Genoa and in Italy, from the 12th century to the 16th century.-Origins:According to legend, a...
s and of the other four companies, Porta, Soziglia, Porta Nuova and Il Borgo.
The second line of twenty galleys, under the command of Benedetto Zaccaria, was placed so far behind the first that the Pisans could not see whether it was made up of war-vessels or of small craft meant to act as tenders to the others. Yet it was near enough to strike in and decide the battle when the action had begun.
The Pisans, commanded by the Podestà
Podestà
Podestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later Middle Ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state , but also as a local administrator, the representative of the Emperor.The term derives from the Latin word potestas, meaning power...
Morosini and his lieutenants Ugolino della Gherardesca
Ugolino della Gherardesca
Count Ugolino della Gherardesca , count of Donoratico, was an Italian nobleman, politician and naval commander. He was frequently accused of treason and features prominently in Dante's Divine Comedy.-Biography:...
and Andreotto Saraceno, came out in a single body. It is said that while the Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
was blessing the fleet the silver cross of his archiepiscopal staff fell off, but that the omen was disregarded by the irreverence of the Pisans, who declared that if they had the wind they could do without divine help.
The Pisan fleet advanced in line abreast to meet the first line of the Genoese, fighting according to the medieval custom of ramming and boarding. The victory was decided for Genoa by the squadron of Zaccaria, which fell on the flank of the Pisans. Their fleet was nearly annihilated, the Podestà was taken, and Ugolino fled with a few vessels.
Aftermath
As Pisa was also attacked by FlorenceFlorence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
and Lucca
Lucca
Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca...
it could never recover from the disaster. Two years later Genoa took Porto Pisano, the city's access to the sea, and filled up the harbor. As a permanent consequence of this defeat, Pisa lost once and for all its role as a major Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
naval power and as regional power of Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
, being overshadowed and finally conquered, in 1406, by Florence.
The count Ugolino was afterwards starved to death with several of his sons and grandsons in the manner made familiar by the 32nd canto of Dante
DANTE
Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe is a not-for-profit organisation that plans, builds and operates the international networks that interconnect the various national research and education networks in Europe and surrounding regions...
's Inferno. One famous captive of the battle was Rustichello da Pisa
Rustichello da Pisa
Rustichello da Pisa, also known as Rusticiano and Rustigielo , was an Italian romance writer best known for cowriting Marco Polo's autobiography while they were in prison together in Genoa. A native Pisan, he may have been captured by the Genoese at the Battle of Meloria in 1284, amid a conflict...
, who co-wrote Marco Polo
Marco Polo
Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant traveler from the Venetian Republic whose travels are recorded in Il Milione, a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently...
's account of his travels, Il Milione
The Travels of Marco Polo
Books of the Marvels of the World or Description of the World , also nicknamed Il Milione or Oriente Poliano and commonly called The Travels of Marco Polo, is a 13th-century travelogue written down by Rustichello da Pisa from stories told by Marco Polo, describing the...
.