Battle of Velletri (1744)

The Battle of Velletri occurred on 12 August 1744 in the War of the Austrian Succession, between Austria and the Kingdom of Naples. After seizing Velletri in a nighttime attack and capturing much of King Charles' royal entourage, the Austrian army joined battle with Charles' army outside the city.

Battle of Velletri
Part of the War of the Austrian Succession

Charles VII of Naples at the Battle of Velletri by Camillo Guerra. Oil on canvas (1850).
Date12 August 1744
Location
Velletri (present-day Italy)
Result Spanish-Neapolitan victory
Austrian invasion of the Kingdom of Naples crippled
Belligerents
Kingdom of Naples
Kingdom of Spain		 Habsburg Monarchy
Commanders and leaders
Charles VII of Naples
Duke of Castropignano
Comte de Gages		 Prince of Lobkowicz
Strength
12,000 10,000
Casualties and losses
Less than half of those of the enemy 2,000 dead
2,000 captured

The Austrians were rapidly thrown back and retreated north toward Rome with Charles in pursuit.

Legacy

Act 3 of the drama Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino Ángel de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas, and the opera La forza del destino by Giuseppe Verdi, based on Saavedra's play, is set during the Battle of Velletri.

Notes

    References
    • Levillain, Philippe (2002), The Papacy: An Encyclopedia, Routeledge, ISBN 0-415-92230-5


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