Fourth Crusade
A holy vow to free Jerusalem that ended in the bloody destruction of Christian Rome.
The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a military expedition that, instead of reaching the Holy Land, ended with the sack of Constantinople. The crusade was proclaimed by Pope Innocent III following the failure of the Third Crusade to recapture Jerusalem. The expedition was diverted from its original goal due to a combination of financial debt to Venice and political intrigue within the Byzantine Empire. The crusaders first attacked the Christian city of Zara, and later stormed Constantinople, resulting in the partition of the Byzantine Empire and the establishment of Latin states in its territory.
Quick Facts
- Historical era
- Early 13th Century
Did You Know?
- The crusaders contracted with Venice for transport and supplies but ended up destroying a major Christian capital due to unpaid debts.
- Many priceless relics of the Byzantine Empire were stolen during the sack and taken back to Western Europe, including the famous horses of St. Mark's Basilica.
- The Fourth Crusade is often cited as the event that cemented the Great Schism between the Catholic Church in Rome and the Orthodox Church in Constantinople.
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