The Crusaders and the Byzantine Empire

The crusader sacking of constantinople in the year 12 o four marked the end of the byzantine empire. Three ramp states were established in remnants, hippirus, trebizond and nicea. The behaviour of the crusaders was instigated by the venetians who were enjoying having the freedom of the bosphorus ait to bolster their maritime trading opportunities. But they were opposed by another western european mediterranean republic based at the city of genoa,. Such was the tension between the two republics that it would erupt into military conflict. This presented a great opportunity for the byzantines, who had been taking advantage of the lack of strength of their