Offspring of Mars traces a century of ventures and adventures of the Knights of Malta (the Hospitallers) across the Mediterranean. From defending their island stronghold to launching raids on the shores of Islam, these men lived, fought, and died for faith and glory. On 24 January 1661, off the coast of Sicily, a fierce battle unfolded. Like a pack of wolves, six Maltese galleys pounced on a Muslim corsair, seizing everything from luxurious textiles to captives destined for slavery. Episodes like this illustrate the turbulent life of the seventeenth-century Mediterranean. These galleys belonged to `the Religion', whose members were drawn from Roman Catholic noble families. With roots stretching back over five centuries to the Crusades, the Hospitallers held Malta as a Christian bulwark against Islam. The island became a `school of Mars', where the sons of the Roman god of war honed their martial skills in service to Christ. Though faith lay at the heart of their mission, reducing the Hospitaller-Muslim conflict to a clash of civilisations overlooks the complexities of the time. Encounters were shaped by broader societal attitudes, environmental conditions, and an evolving military landscape. Edward Gibbon quipped that the Hospitallers `neglected to live, but were prepared to die, in the service of Christ.' Offspring of Mars both embraces and questions this depiction, offering a portrait of human resilience and transformation amid the shifting tides of war and belief. It will appeal to military-naval enthusiasts, as well as to those seeking a better understanding of the early modern Mediterranean. AUTHOR: Emanuel Buttigieg is Associate Professor in early modern history at the University of Malta. He read history at the Universities of Malta and Cambridge, obtaining his PhD from the latter in 2008. Key publication include Nobility, Faith and Masculinity: The Hospitaller Knights of Malta, c.1580-c.1700 (Continuum, 2011), Islands and Military Orders, c.1291-c.1798 (Ashgate, 2013) co-edited with Simon Phillips, and The University of Malta: Legacies & Bearings (Malta University Press, 2020) as co-editor and co-author. His main research interest lies with the Hospitaller Knights of St John, particularly during their Malta phase (1530-1798). 43 b/w illustrations, 6 b/w photos, 7 colour photos, 6 b/w maps, 8 figures, 4 tables
