Why Were the Fourth Crusade's Crusaders Diverted to Constantinople?

💡 The Answer

• The Fourth Crusade was originally aimed at Egypt, but the crusaders ran out of money to pay Venice for ships.
• The Venetian doge, Enrico Dandolo, convinced them to attack Zara (a Christian city) to repay debts.
• Then a Byzantine prince offered a massive reward if the crusaders helped him seize the imperial throne.
• In 1204, the crusaders sacked Constantinople, looting its treasures and causing permanent damage to Byzantium.
• This diversion famously weakened the Byzantine Empire, making it vulnerable to later Ottoman conquest.