1204 sacking of Constantinople

The sack of Constantinople in 1204 was a brutal event during the Fourth Crusade, when Western European Crusaders invaded and looted the Byzantine Empire's capital. Instead of reaching the Holy Land, they diverted to Constantinople, driven by political and financial motives. The city, a rich and powerful center of Orthodox Christianity, was captured, walls broken, treasures stolen, and buildings destroyed. This event severely weakened the Byzantine Empire, causing significant cultural and economic loss, and deepening the divide between Eastern and Western Christians. The sack had lasting consequences for both the Byzantine Empire and European relations.