Sack of Constantinople Fourth Crusade

the entry of crusaders constantinople (eugène delacroix, 1840). infamous action of fourth crusade sack of orthodox christian city of constantinople.

on 12 april 1204, weather conditions favoured crusaders. strong northern wind aided venetian ships in coming close walls, , after short battle approximately seventy crusaders managed enter city. able knock holes in walls, large enough few knights @ time crawl through; venetians successful @ scaling walls sea, though there fighting varangians. anglo-saxon axe bearers had been amongst effective of city s defenders, attempted negotiate higher wages byzantine employers, before dispersing or surrendering. crusaders captured blachernae section of city in northwest , used base attack rest of city. while attempting defend wall of fire, however, burned more of city. second fire left 15,000 people homeless. crusaders took city on 13 april.

the crusaders sacked constantinople 3 days, during many ancient greco-roman , medieval byzantine works of art stolen or ruined. many of civilian population of city killed , property looted. despite threat of excommunication, crusaders destroyed, defiled , looted city s churches , monasteries. said total amount looted constantinople 900,000 silver marks. venetians received 150,000 silver marks due, while crusaders received 50,000 silver marks. further 100,000 silver marks divided evenly between crusaders , venetians. remaining 500,000 silver marks secretly kept many crusader knights.

speros vryonis in byzantium , europe gives vivid account of sack:

the latin soldiery subjected greatest city in europe indescribable sack. 3 days murdered, raped, looted , destroyed on scale ancient vandals , goths have found unbelievable. constantinople had become veritable museum of ancient , byzantine art, emporium of such incredible wealth latins astounded @ riches found. though venetians had appreciation art discovered (they semi-byzantines) , saved of it, french , others destroyed indiscriminately, halting refresh wine, violation of nuns, , murder of orthodox clerics. crusaders vented hatred greeks spectacularly in desecration of greatest church in christendom. smashed silver iconostasis, icons , holy books of hagia sophia, , seated upon patriarchal throne whore sang coarse songs drank wine church s holy vessels. estrangement of east , west, had proceeded on centuries, culminated in horrible massacre accompanied conquest of constantinople. greeks convinced turks, had taken city, not have been cruel latin christians. defeat of byzantium, in state of decline, accelerated political degeneration byzantines became easy prey turks. fourth crusade , crusading movement resulted, ultimately, in victory of islam, result of course exact opposite of original intention.

when innocent iii heard of conduct of pilgrims filled shame , rage, , rebuked them.

according subsequent treaty, empire apportioned between venice , leaders of crusade, , latin empire of constantinople established. boniface not elected new emperor, although citizens seemed consider him such; venetians thought had many connections former empire because of brother, renier of montferrat, had been married maria komnene, empress in 1170s , 1180s. instead placed baldwin of flanders on throne. boniface went on found kingdom of thessalonica, vassal state of new latin empire. venetians founded duchy of archipelago in aegean sea. meanwhile, byzantine refugees founded own successor states, notable of these being empire of nicaea under theodore laskaris (a relative of alexios iii), empire of trebizond, , despotate of epirus.