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Venice's Gains from the Fourth Crusade
After the Fourth Crusade captured Constantinople in 1204, Venice, as chief financier and transport organizer, received imperial territory, trade priv…
Timeline
- 1201–1202Venice · VeniceVenetian Doge Enrico Dandolo signed large-scale shipping and supply contracts with the crusader leaders; the expedition incurred enormous shipping debts, laying the economic groundwork for the later diversion to Constantinople.
- 1204Constantinople · ConstantinopleThe crusaders captured Constantinople; Venice received three-quarters of the imperial spoils, large numbers of artworks and relics, and participated in the looting and division of Latin Empire territory.
- 1204–1205Aegean Islands · Aegean SeaVenice obtained strategic bases such as Crete and the Ionian Islands, plus privileges in Constantinople's trading quarter, establishing control over eastern Mediterranean sea lanes and greatly boosting the Republic's commercial dominance.
Sources
- The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople — Jonathan Phillips (2004)
- Venice: A Maritime Republic — Frederic C. Lane (1973)