Lecture on the Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople

Ascension of Alexios III Angelos

• Alexios III usurped the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire in 1195.
• Had no allies or resources but briefly stabilized the empire.
• Incompetent ruler who bribed the aristocracy and left administration to corrupt officials.
• Faced diplomatic and internal issues, including a war with the Seljuks.
• Began dealing with financial demands from the Holy Roman Empire.

The Fourth Crusade

• Initiated by Pope Innocent III in 1198 to reclaim Jerusalem.
• French nobles led by Theobald III of Champagne took the cross.
• Original plan was to attack Egypt, the center of Muslim power.
• Venetians agreed to build a fleet in exchange for payments and shared plunder.
• Crusade faced issues: leader Theobald died, low recruitment, financial troubles.

Change in Crusade Direction

• Venetians suggested sacking Zara for funds, causing division among crusaders.
• Venetian Doge Enrico Dandolo became a prominent leader.
• Attack on Zara led to excommunication threats from the Pope.

Involvement with Byzantine Politics

• Alexios IV Angelos offered the crusaders gold, troops, and church reunification.
• Crusaders aimed to restore Alexios IV to the Byzantine throne.
• Byzantine Emperor Alexios III fled, leaving Isaac II and Alexios IV to rule.
• Financial promises from Alexios IV were not fulfilled, leading to more tensions.

Sack of Constantinople

• Alexios V usurped the throne, refusing to honor previous agreements.
• Crusaders decided to take Constantinople for themselves.
• April 1204, the city was attacked from the sea walls.
• Byzantine resistance collapsed, the Varangian guard deserted.
• Constantinople was plundered; significant cultural and artistic loss occurred.

Consequences

• The Fourth Crusade's diversion led to the sacking of Constantinople.
• The Byzantine Empire was significantly weakened.
• This event deepened the schism between Eastern and Western Christianity.

Conclusion

• The Fourth Crusade dramatically altered the power dynamics of the Byzantine Empire and had lasting religious and cultural impacts.
• Further details on the consequences and reactions to these events will be covered in future discussions.