Italian Wars of 1499–1504

Second and Third Italian Wars
Part of the Italian Wars

The Battle of Cerignola, the first battle in history won by gunpowder small arms
Date1499–1504
Location
Result
  • Second Italian War
  • Third Italian War
    • Spanish victory, Spain acquires Naples from France
    • Treaty of Lyon
      Treaty of Blois
      • Division of Northern and Southern Italy between France and Spain
Belligerents

Second Italian War

Second Italian War

Third Italian War: War over Naples

Third Italian War: War over Naples

Commanders and leaders
Strength
1499:
23,000–29,000

The Italian Wars of 1499–1504 are divided into two connected, but distinct, phases: the Second Italian War (1499–1501), sometimes known as Louis XII's Italian War, and the Third Italian War (1502–1504) or War over Naples. The first phase was fought for control of the Duchy of Milan by an alliance of Louis XII of France and the Republic of Venice against Ludovico Sforza, the second between Louis and Ferdinand II of Aragon for possession of the Kingdom of Naples.

In the aftermath of the Italian War of 1494–1498, Louis was determined to pursue French claims to Milan and Naples and in October 1499 he captured Milan, which remained in French hands for the next thirteen years. His invasion of Naples in 1501 eventually led to war with Ferdinand of Aragon, who expelled the French in 1504.