Battle of Cecora

Significance

The Battle of Cecora pitted a Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth force of 9,000 against an Ottoman and allied army of 20,000 during the Polish–Ottoman War of 1620–1621. Commonwealth casualties of 2,000 against Ottoman losses of 1,500 indicate a costly engagement for the smaller force. The battle involved senior Commonwealth commanders including Stanisław Żółkiewski and Stanisław Koniecpolski alongside allied figures Gaspar Graziani and Vasile Septilici, while the Ottoman side was led by Iskender Pasha, Khan Temir, and the Transylvanian prince Gabor Bethlen — a coalition that reflects the broad alignment of Ottoman-sphere powers against the Commonwealth in this conflict. The significant disparity in force sizes underscores the difficult operational position the Commonwealth faced at this stage of the war.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (7)