Tag Archives: Constantinople

The Disastrous, Shameful Fourth Crusade, 1203-4

The Fourth Crusade’s sudden diversion to attacking Constantinople took the city completely by surprise. Byzantine in-fighting had used many plot twists, but this was the first time a deposed prince had found a full army to rent instantly, waiting nearby. … Continue reading

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The Komnenos Imperial Family, 1118-46

The Byzantine Empire was central to all of these events, but we often overlook their role in the Crusader kingdoms since the Franks were so often opposed to the Greeks. The Crusaders acted alone most of the time, after the … Continue reading

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End of the People’s Crusade, 1096

About five waves of disorganized pilgrims set out to cross Hungary on foot in 1096. In the first wave, they split up as they reached the Danube, some going by boat, some walking to a better ford. Walter Sans-Avoir was … Continue reading

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The Christian Prince of Kyiv, 988

The Rus territory of Eastern Europe stretched from Odessa on the coast to the borders of Finland in the north. The Norse in Sweden and the Slavs of the forests along the Volga River had made marriage alliances for several … Continue reading

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Arabian Monotheism before Islam

During the Roman occupation of Palestine, Jews began moving to other parts of the Empire and its edges. Rome didn’t rule Arabia proper, but its province of Arabia Petraea included the legendary town of Petra and its trade routes. After … Continue reading

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Rome vs. Eastern Rome: 1054

Countdown to the First Crusade: Church schism By the beginning of the Middle Ages (6th cent.), Christians had a general understanding that all theological disputes should be solved by representatives of the five major Christian regions: Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople … Continue reading

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