Before October 7 was known as a day of Islamic atrocities against Israel, it was known — indeed, was for centuries celebrated — as a day when Crusaders thoroughly chastised Muslims for committing atrocities against fellow Christians.
Context: In 1570, Muslim Turks — in the guise of the Ottoman Empire — invaded the island of Cyprus, prompting Pope Pius V to call for and form a “Holy League” of maritime Catholic nation-states, spearheaded by the Spanish Empire, in 1571.
Before they could reach and relieve Cyprus, its last stronghold at Famagusta was taken through treachery. After promising the defenders safe passage if they surrendered, the Ottoman commander, Lala Mustafa Pasha, reneged and ordered the slaughter of the Venetian officers.
He ordered the nose and ears of Marco Antonio Bragadin, the fort commander, hacked off. Mustafa then invited the mutilated infidel to Islam and life: “I am a Christian and thus I want to live and die,” Antonio responded. “My body is yours. Torture it as you will.”
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