The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire / Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes) · Chapter 271
Fourth Crusade and Sack of Constantinople
In 1204, the Fourth Crusade, diverted from its original goal, captured and sacked Constantinople, establishing a Latin Empire and devastating the Byzantine state.
Outcome
The sack permanently weakened Byzantium, deepened the East-West schism, and established Latin rule in Constantinople until its recovery by Michael VIII in 1261.