Venice had good sea captains, but Antonio Grimani, a good-willing shipowner that had contributed to the war effort with 16,000 ducats, was chosen as Capitano Generale della Mar. The Venetian fleet had been neglected during the 20 years peace because of the expense, and in one year a new fleet had to be rushed from the Arsenal.
All of Morea except Napoli di Romania, Modon, Coron, Navarino and Monemvasia fell quickly. However the most likely cause was that Venice was the best target to the Ottoman aggression, and possessed many colonies that the Turks desired.
But the Milanese envoy was the most active in encouraging the Sultan to attack Venice, according to Gritti. Of note is the behavior of the notoriously devious Federigo of Naples, who while trying to recruit the help of Venice in case the Sultan sent his fleet against Apulia, was concluding a treaty with Bayezid promising to return the body of his brother Jem, a most important point for the Sultan, and inducing him to attack Venice. There were many reasons for the Turkish attack on Venice: border incidents, piracy incidents, the alliance of Venice with France, and the encouragement from all the Italian ambassadors.
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