The Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade exposes the underlying greed of the Crusades, which is evident in the destruction of a Christian city in the Sack of Constantinople.
The Treaty of Venice of 1201
"Conquering the Kingdom and Marvels of the East"
Quinto Cenni
Pope Innocent III launched the Fourth Crusade in 1198 in a second attempt at recapturing Jerusalem. Tens of thousands had volunteered, but only a fraction of the volunteers actually made it on the journey to Venice, rendering the Crusaders severely indebted to the Venetians who they paid to build the ships.
The Venetians proposed the Treaty of Venice (1201); the Venetians would partially forgive the Crusader’s debt if they helped the Venetians lay siege of the rebellious city of Zara.
Siege of Zara of 1202
The Crusaders sailed to Zara alongside the Venetians in order to lay siege on the rebellious city in 1202.
The city surrendered to the Crusaders and Venetians two weeks after the siege began.With their debt partially forgiven, the Crusaders headed back to Europe.
"The Crusaders Conquering the City of Zara in 1202"
Andrea Vinectino
Siege of Constantinople of 1204
“Crusade of 1204”
Tintoretto
After his father was overthrown, a Byzantine prince fled to the Holy Roman Empire, and sought refuge with his brother-in-law, Philip of Swabia, King of Germany.
It was in Germany where he then met with Crusade leader, Boniface of Montferrat, in hopes that the Crusaders would lay siege on Constantinople and restore his father as emperor in exchange for compensation.
The Crusaders agreed, in order to fully repay their debt to the Venetians. They then traveled to Constantinople and attacked the city in July of 1203.
After capturing the city the Crusaders returned it to the hands of the Byzantine prince, Alexios IV Angelos and his father. Alexios IV had overestimated the wealth of the empire, resutling in the Crusaders having to stay in Constantinople until they recieved their payment. However, six months after the siege, Alexios IV Angelos and his father were overthrown and executed by Alexios V Doukas.
The Crusaders were outraged at their ally’s execution and even more outraged when Alexios V Doukas refused to pay the rest of what Alexios IV promised. Determined to get their payment, the Crusaders sacked the city, completely destroying it in the process.
The Sack of Constantinople of 1204
"The Entry of the Crusaders into Constantinople"
Eugène Delacroix