In 1522, the island of Rhodes was besieged by the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who sought to expand his influence in the Mediterranean. The Knights Hospitaller, led by Grandmaster Philip Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, mounted a determined defense with 16,000 men against 100,000 Ottoman troops. Despite advanced Ottoman siege tactics and severe hardships on both sides, the Knights' strategic preparations and resilience prolonged the conflict. Internal treachery and heavy casualties weakened the defenders, leading to their surrender on December 19, 1522. The negotiated terms allowed the Knights and island inhabitants to leave safely, marking a significant Ottoman victory and the end of Hospitaller rule on Rhodes.
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