Byzantine-Latin Wars

The Byzantine-Latin Wars were a series of conflicts between the Byzantine Empire and various Latin states, primarily during the late 11th to the 13th centuries. This period began with the Crusades, which involved Western European knights and soldiers (the Latins) invading Byzantine territory. Tensions rose as these Latin forces often clashed with Byzantine interests, particularly during events like the Fourth Crusade, which culminated in the sack of Constantinople in 1204. These wars reflected the struggle over control and influence in the Eastern Mediterranean and significantly weakened the Byzantine Empire, shaping the region's political landscape.