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Published on: Ev

July 2, 1570

Cyprus. The Ottoman commander Piali is surprised to find the beaches of Cyprus unguarded by the Venetians. He easily disembarks his soldiers and all their equipment. They number 40,000 men, of whom, however, only 6,000 are janissaries and 4,000 sipahis. This is only the first of a series of mistakes by the Venetian regency of the island.