In 1204, Christian crusaders shocked the world by capturing and looting Constantinople
The Fourth Crusade took a shocking turn in 1204 when Christian knights diverted their mission from Jerusalem to instead besiege and plunder Constantinople, the greatest city in the Christian world.
In 1204, the Fourth Crusade ended not in the Holy Land, but with the catastrophic sack of Constantinople. These Latin Crusaders, originally sworn to fight for the church, turned their weapons against the Byzantine Empire, looting priceless relics and ancient artworks that had been preserved for centuries.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraph · plus a 3-question quiz