The Italian Wars of 1499–1504 are divided into two connected, but distinct, phases: the Second Italian War (1499–1501), sometimes known as Louis XII's Italian War, and the Third Italian War (1502–1504) or War over Naples. The first phase was fought for control of the Duchy of Milan by an alliance of Louis XII of France and the Republic of Venice against Ludovico Sforza, the second between Louis and Ferdinand II of Aragon for possession of the Kingdom of Naples.
In the aftermath of the Italian War of 1494–1498, Louis was determined to pursue French claims to Milan and Naples and in October 1499 he captured Milan, which remained in French hands for the next thirteen years. His invasion of Naples in 1501 eventually led to war with Ferdinand of Aragon, who expelled the French in 1504.
This is an overview of notable events including battles during the wars.
7 April 1498: Charles VIII of France died and was succeeded by his cousin Louis, Duke of Orléans as Louis XII. Louis had participated in the previous war, primarily in the 1495 Siege of Novara.
9 February 1499: Treaty of Blois, secret alliance between France and Venice to partition the Duchy of Milan.
Second Italian War (1499–1501)
1 September 1499: Ludovico Sforza and his family fled Milan to Innsbruck.
September 1499: Venetian invasion of the Duchy of Milan and anti-Sforza revolt inside the city of Milan; the rebels opened the gates to the Venetian army commanded by Gian Giacomo Trivulzio.
6 October 1499: The French army entered the city of Milan.
19 December 1499 – 12 January 1500: Siege of Forlì. Franco-Papal victory by Cesare Borgia over Caterina Sforza.
5 February 1500: Ludovico Sforza's Swiss mercenary army retook the city of Milan from the French.
21 March 1500: The Sforzescan army retook Novara from the French.
8–10 April 1500: Battle of Novara. French victory over Ludovico Sforza.
11 November 1500: Treaty of Granada, secret plan between Ferdinand II of Aragon and Louis XII of France to partition the Kingdom of Naples.
25 July 1501: Frederick of Naples abdicated the Neapolitan throne after Franco-Aragonese forces occupied Naples.
25 December 1502: Battle of Seminara (1502). French victory over Spain.
13 February 1503: Challenge of Barletta. Italian knights in Spanish service won a duel against French knights.
23 February 1503: Battle of Ruvo. Spanish victory over France.