About the book
In 1202, zealous Western Christians gathered in Venice determined to liberate Jerusalem from the grip of Islam. But the crusaders never made it to the Holy Land. Steered forward by the shrewd Venetian doge, they descended instead on Constantinople, wreaking terrible devastation. The crusaders spared no one: They raped and massacred thousands, plundered churches, and torched the lavish city. By 1204, one of the great civilizations of history had been shattered. Here, on the eight hundredth anniversary of the sack, is the extraordinary story of this epic catastrophe, told for the first time outside of academia by Jonathan Phillips, a leading expert on the crusades. Knights and commoners, monastic chroniclers, courtly troubadours, survivors of the carnage, and even Pope Innocent III left vivid accounts detailing the events of those two fateful years. Using their remarkable letters, chronicles, and speeches, Phillips traces the way in which any region steeped in religious fanaticism, in this case Christian Europe, might succumb to holy war.
Editions of The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780670033508
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780143035909
- EBook
- ISBN 9781101127728
Read an Excerpt
In 1202, zealous Western Christians gathered in Venice determined to liberate Jerusalem from the grip of Islam. But the crusaders never made it to the Holy Land. Steered forward by the shrewd Venetian doge, they descended instead on Constantinople, wreaking terrible devastation. The crusaders spared no one: They raped and massacred thousands, plundered churches, and torched the lavish city. By 1204, one of the great civilizations of history had been shattered. Here, on the eight hundredth anniversary of the sack, is the extraordinary story of this epic catastrophe, told for the first time outside of academia by Jonathan Phillips, a leading expert on the crusades. Knights and commoners, monastic chroniclers, courtly troubadours, survivors of the carnage, and even Pope Innocent III left vivid accounts detailing the events of those two fateful years. Using their remarkable letters, chronicles, and speeches, Phillips traces the way in which any region steeped in religious fanaticism, in this case Christian Europe, might succumb to holy war.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople about?
In 1202, zealous Western Christians gathered in Venice determined to liberate Jerusalem from the grip of Islam. But the crusaders never made it to the Holy Land. Steered forward by the shrewd Venetian doge, they descended instead on Constantinople, wreaking terrible devastation. The crusaders spared no one: They raped and massacred thousands, plundered churches, and torched the lavish city. By 1204, one of the great civilizations of history had been shattered. Here, on the eight hundredth anniversary of the sack, is the extraordinary story of this epic catastrophe, told for the first time outside of academia by Jonathan Phillips, a leading expert on the crusades. Knights and commoners, monastic chroniclers, courtly troubadours, survivors of the carnage, and even Pope Innocent III left vivid accounts detailing the events of those two fateful years. Using their remarkable letters, chronicles, and speeches, Phillips traces the way in which any region steeped in religious fanaticism, in this case Christian Europe, might succumb to holy war.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople?
History and Archaeology > History > European history > European history: medieval period, middle ages
Where can I read a sample of The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780670033508
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople?
Jonathan Phillips
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780670033508) and paperback(ISBN 9780143035909) and ebook(ISBN 9781101127728)
Where can I buy The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople?