In 1203, a crusading army meant for Egypt attacked and conquered Christian Constantinople
A holy mission took a shocking turn in 1203 when European Crusaders, diverted by debt and politics, launched a devastating assault on the fellow Christian capital of Constantinople instead of their original target.
The Fourth Crusade remains one of history's most controversial events. In July 1203, an army originally destined for Egypt arrived at the walls of Constantinople to intervene in a Byzantine power struggle. When promised payments failed to materialize, the Crusaders breached the city's massive defenses, forcing Emperor Alexios III to flee into the night.
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