The Latin Empire of Constantinople

The Latin Empire of Constantinople was a short-lived state established after the Fourth Crusade in 1204 when Crusaders captured the city of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. This marked a significant shift in power, as Western Europeans ruled over a traditionally Eastern Orthodox Christian city. The empire faced internal divisions and external threats, struggling to maintain control. It existed until 1261 when the Byzantines reclaimed Constantinople. The Latin Empire is notable for its impact on the relationship between the Western and Eastern Christian worlds and its role in the history of medieval Europe and the Byzantine Empire.