In a bold turn of events during the Fourth Crusade, Crusader forces, originally mobilized for the liberation of Jerusalem, shifted their focus towards the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. By the summer of 1203, tensions had escalated due to political instability in the Byzantine Empire, exacerbated by the rise of Alexios IV Angelos, who promised the Crusaders financial support and military assistance in exchange for help in reclaiming his throne from his uncle, Alexios III Angelos. Initially, the Crusaders sought to fulfill their duty of service to Christ, but political aspirations complicated their mission. On July 17, 1203, the Crusaders intensified their military campaign against the city. The assault involved extensive naval operations, siege tactics, and an array of military maneuvers designed to breach the formidable defenses of Constantinople.

As the pressure mounted, Alexios III Angelos, recognizing his precarious position, fled the city with his family, abandoning the capital in fear of being overthrown. His departure marked a significant turning point in the Crusaders' objectives and shifted the power dynamics in the city, leading to civil unrest. Subsequently, Alexios IV Angelos was installed as co-emperor with his cousin, but the Crusaders' presence quickly led to rising tensions between the Latin invaders and the Eastern Romans. By the end of the summer, the culmination of these hostilities set the stage for the eventual sack of Constantinople in 1204, which had a profound impact on the region's political and religious landscape.