Fourth Crusade

History Trivia: April 12, 1204 - Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) was sacked during the Fourth Crusade. Fire destroyed much of the city which left thousands homeless. The great Library was destroyed. Ancient Greek and Roman works not destroyed by fire were stolen. Unfortunately the Crusaders were ruthless and spared no one and nothing as they inflicted their revenge for the massacre of Roman Catholic merchants and their families which occurred in 1182.