Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/51

25 PARTITION OF NAPLES. 25 Italy. The number of the forces was inconsidera- chapter Ue, but they were in excellent condition, well dis '- — ciplined, and seasoned to all the toils and difficulties of war. On the 5th of July, the Great Captain landed at Tropea, and commenced the conquest of Calabria, ordering the fleet to keep along the coast, in order to furnish whatever supplies he might need. The ground was familiar to him, and his progress was facilitated by the old relations he had formed there, as well as by the important posts which the Spanish government had retained in its hands, as an indemnification for the expenses of the late war. Notwithstanding the opposition or cold- ness of the great Angevin lords who resided in this quarter, the entire occupation of the two Calabrias, with the exception of Tarento, was effected in less than a month. ^^ This city, remarkable in ancient times for its Jg^fo'^"^^" defence against Hannibal, was of the last impor- tance. King Frederic had sent thither his eldest son, the duke of Calabria, a youth about fourteen years of age, under the care of Juan de Guevara, count of Potenza, with a strong body of troops, considering it the place of greatest security in his dominions. Independently of the strength of its works, it was rendered nearly inaccessible by its natural position ; having no communication with the main land except by two bridges, at opposite 35 Abarca, Reyes de Aragon, tnm. i. lib. 4, cap. 44. — Mariana, torn. ii. rey 30, cap. 11, sec. 8. — Hist, de Espafia, torn. ii. lib. 27, Zurita, Hist, del Rey Hernando, cap. 9. VOL. III. 4