The Fourth Crusade (1202-1204 CE) was called by Pope Innocent III (r. 1198-1216 CE) to retake Jerusalem from its current Muslim overlords. However, in a bizarre combination of cock-ups, financial constraints, and Venetian trading ambitions, the target ended up being Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the greatest Christian city in the world. Sacked on 12 April 1204 CE, Constantinople was stripped of its riches, relics, and artworks, and the Byzantine Empire was divided up between Venice and its allies. The Fourth Crusade thus gained its infamous reputation as the most cynical and profit-seeking of all the crusades.
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Definition
Timeline
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Aug 1198Pope Innocent III calls for the Fourth Crusade to liberate Jerusalem from Muslim rule.
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Aug 1201Marquis Boniface of Montferrat is selected to lead the Fourth Crusade.
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1202 - 1204The Fourth Crusade is formed to recapture Jerusalem for Christendom. Instead, the Crusaders attack Constantinople.
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Oct 1202The Fourth Crusade fleet leaves Venice.
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24 Nov 1202The armies of the Fourth Crusade capture Christian Zara on the Dalmatian coast.
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May 1203A small force of Crusader knights arrives in the Middle East during the Fourth Crusade.
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24 Jun 1203The army of the Fourth Crusade arrives at Constantinople.
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12 Apr 1204Constantinople is sacked by the Fourth Crusaders.
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9 May 1204Count Baldwin of Flanders is made the first Latin Emperor of Constantinople.
