The Fourth Crusade's Treachery: How Crusaders Sacked Constantinople

The Fourth Crusade remains one of history's most infamous betrayals: a Christian army meant to reclaim Jerusalem instead turned on its Byzantine allies, sacking Constantinople in 1204. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Venetian manipulation, papal politics, and a usurper's desperate promise led to the catastrophic siege. They examine the role of Enrico Dandolo, the blind Doge of Venice, the tragic figure of Alexios IV Angelos, and the brutal three-day sack that scattered treasures across Europe. From the diversion to Zara to the final collapse of the Byzantine defenses, this is a story of greed, religious schism, and a wound that never fully healed. Lucas and Luna also discuss the aftermath: the Latin Empire, the fragmentation of Byzantine successor states, and the enduring legacy of 1204 in Greek memory. A must-listen for anyone who thought crusades were straightforward holy wars.

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