1204 Siege of Constantinople

The Siege of Constantinople in 1204 was a major event during the Fourth Crusade, where Crusaders mistakenly attacked Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Instead of reaching the Holy Land, they diverted to conquer the city, which was a wealthy and strategic metropolis. The Crusaders looted and destroyed much of the city over several weeks, weakening the empire significantly. This event was driven by political and financial motives and marked a major turning point, leading to the empire's decline and deepening the divide between Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic Christians.