The Battle of Cerignola stands as a turning point in military tactics during the early 16th century. It took place in southern Italy, encompassing the ongoing conflicts known as the Italian Wars, where various European powers vied for control over Italian territories. The battle occurred on the plains near the town of Cerignola, depicting a clash between the Spanish forces under the command of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba and the French army led by Louis d'Armagnac. The French army comprised roughly 12,000 troops, including a substantial cavalry contingent, which traditionally excelled in battle. In contrast, the Spanish forces numbered around 9,000 men, effectively harnessing newly developed gunpowder technologies. The innovative tactics of the Spanish, who made superior use of their arquebuses and artillery, shifted the dominance on the battlefield. As the French cavalry charged, they were met with concentrated fire from Spanish musketmen and artillery positions that inflicted severe casualties. The battle concluded with a decisive Spanish victory, marking a profound acknowledgment of the evolving role of gunpowder in warfare. The implications of this engagement rippled through Europe, highlighting the transition from traditional knightly combat to a reliance on firearm technology. This success contributed to Spain's rise as a formidable military power during the Renaissance. The aftermath of the Battle of Cerignola would resonate throughout military strategies in Europe, as more armies began to allocate resources to develop and incorporate gunpowder weaponry into their tactics. The consequences of this battle were not limited to the battlefield; they also influenced political alliances and territorial control within the Italian peninsula during this tumultuous period.