Alexios IV Angelos

Alexios IV Angelos was a Byzantine emperor who ruled briefly from 1203 to 1204 during a tumultuous period in Byzantine history. He was the son of Isaac II Angelos and sought to reclaim his father’s throne with the help of the Fourth Crusade. His reign was marked by political instability and reliance on foreign powers, particularly the Crusaders, who ultimately had their own agenda. His inability to manage the empire's challenges and his dependence on outsiders contributed to the eventual sack of Constantinople in 1204, leading to a significant decline in Byzantine power and influence.