The Fourth Crusade was meant to attack Egypt, the centre of Muslim power, but ended with the Christian sack of Constantinople, the greatest city of Christendom. The crusaders could not pay Venice, which had agreed to supply ships, and the Venetian doge Enrico Dandolo diverted the army, first to capture the Christian city of Zara on the Adriatic in 1202. They were then persuaded to support a claimant to the Byzantine throne, Alexios Angelos, who promised money and aid. When the promises failed, the crusaders stormed and plundered Constantinople in April 1204. Pope Innocent III condemned the attack. The crusaders set up a Latin Empire in the city that lasted until 1261, and the event deepened the split between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Before and after
- 13th centuryConstruction of Lincoln Cathedral
- 13th centuryConstruction of Konark Sun Temple
- 13th centuryOrigins of Coricancha
- 13th centuryConstruction of Toompea Castle
- from 1202 to 1204Fourth Crusade
- 1202Fibonacci introduces Hindu-Arabic numerals to Europe
- from 10 November 1202 to 24 November 1202Siege of Zara
- from 1204 to 1261Latin Empire
- from 1204 to 1461Empire of Trebizond
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 1095 to 1291Crusades
- 1206Temujin is proclaimed Genghis Khan
- 1212Children's Crusade
- from 1213 to 1221Fifth Crusade
- from 18 July 1270 to 30 October 1270Eighth Crusade
- 30 March 1282Sicilian Vespers
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 13th century.