In February of 1495, King Charles VIII of France made a monumental entrance into Naples, claiming the throne of the Kingdom of Naples. This action was part of his larger plan to expand French influence in Italy during a time of political fragmentation. Charles had been invited to Italy by some factions in Naples who were eager for change and hoped he could help them in their disputes against the current rulers. On his arrival, Charles was met with a mix of enthusiasm and opposition, as the city had been the seat of various powerful Italian noble families and was embroiled in long-standing rivalries.

Charles's entry into Naples is often considered a key moment in the Italian Wars, a series of conflicts that would pit various European powers against each other over control of territories in the Italian Peninsula. His forces, numbering around 25,000, brought a significant show of strength, which unsettled other Italian states and sparked concern among neighboring kingdoms. The French king's ambitions in Italy were not just relegated to Naples; they were part of a broader strategy to exert influence over the entirety of Italy, which was seen as the cradle of Renaissance culture and power.

This moment marked the beginning of a century of foreign intervention in Italy, leading to numerous battles and alliances that reshaped the political order. Charles’s campaign would eventually lead to conflicts with other kingdoms in Italy, including Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, causing disruptions that lasted for decades. The various powers in Italy would come to view Charles's actions either as a threat or an opportunity, resulting in shifting alliances and further conflict. The implications of his claim and subsequent actions would echo throughout European politics, altering relationships and leading to further wars in the region.