Sack of Constantinople

The capture and plunder of Constantinople by western crusaders in April 1204 during the Fourth Crusade, which shattered Byzantine rule in the city.

Fourth Crusade: A crusade launched in 1202 that culminated in the capture of Constantinople by western forces in 1204. Its diversion from the Holy Land set the campaign that ended in the city’s sack.
Siege of Constantinople (1203): The crusader and Venetian siege that helped restore Isaac II Angelos and install Alexios IV in 1203. Its outcome created the unstable imperial arrangement that collapsed before the final assault.
Byzantine Empire: The medieval continuation of the Roman Empire, centered on Constantinople and governed primarily in Greek. The sack broke imperial control of Constantinople and divided Byzantine lands among rival states.
Great Schism: The lasting separation between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, conventionally dated to 1054. The sack deepened a church division that crusader leaders had claimed they would heal.
Alexios IV Angelos: A Byzantine emperor whose appeal for military support helped draw the Fourth Crusade to Constantinople. His promises of money and church union helped bring crusader forces to the city.
Siege of Constantinople (1204): The April 1204 assault in which crusader and Venetian forces captured Constantinople. This is the military operation that directly produced the sack.
Empire of Nicaea: A Byzantine successor state founded in western Asia Minor after Constantinople fell in 1204. Its rulers preserved Byzantine imperial claims and later recovered the capital.
Eastern Orthodox Church: The communion of Christian churches that developed in the eastern Roman and Byzantine traditions. The conquest’s violence against Orthodox institutions sharpened distrust of Latin Christians.
Alexios III Angelos: Byzantine emperor from 1195 to 1203 who was overthrown by his nephew Alexios IV. His seizure of the throne triggered the dynastic struggle exploited by the crusaders.
Isaac II Angelos: Byzantine emperor restored to power in 1203 alongside his son Alexios IV. His restoration formed part of the bargain that crusader leaders claimed Constantinople had failed to honor.

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