Dan Snow's History Hit
The Siege of Malta: Knights Hospitaller vs The Ottomans
Feb 12, 2025
Marcus Bull, a history professor and author of 'The Great Siege of Malta,' unfolds the gripping tale of the 1565 siege where the outnumbered Knights Hospitaller faced the formidable Ottoman Empire led by Suleiman the Magnificent. He illustrates the strategic significance of Malta and the relentless defense put up by Grand Master Jean de Valette. With discussions on the brutal tactics, disease's impact on the Ottoman forces, and the fine line between victory and defeat, Bull captures the resilience that ultimately turned the tide of the conflict.
44:41
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Quick takeaways
- The Siege of Malta represented a significant ideological battle, showcasing the Knights Hospitaller's struggle to reclaim their purpose against the Ottomans.
- The siege's brutality on both sides was amplified by the invocation of holy war rhetoric, reflecting the harsh realities of 16th-century conflicts.
Deep dives
The Nature of the Ottoman Threat
The podcast examines the perceived threat of the Ottoman Empire during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. While many in Western Europe viewed the Ottomans as an unstoppable force poised to conquer more territory, the reality was that their expansion had slowed. Historians suggest that the rhetoric surrounding the siege inflated the urgency for reinforcements, asserting that Malta was key to preventing further Ottoman advances into Europe. The actual aim of the siege seemed more like a targeted effort by the aging Sultan Suleiman to deal with the Knights of St. John, rather than a broader campaign for conquest.
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