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| 1201 |
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| Peace with the Bulgars, who were allowed to retain most of the eastern Balkan area, under the younger brother of the Asens, Joannitsa (Kaloyan, 1197–1207). | 1 |
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| 1202–4 |
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| The Fourth Crusade (See 1199, Aug. 15). The Crusaders took Durazzo (1203) and arrived at Constantinople (June 1203). The emperor thereupon fled to Adrianople (July). His deposed brother, Isaac, was set upon the throne with his son, the accomplice of the Crusaders. | 2 |
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| 1203–4 |
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| ALEXIUS IV. He was wholly under the control of the Crusaders and was forced to pay a heavy tribute. | 3 |
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| 1204, Jan. 25 |
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| Popular discontent led to a revolution and the proclamation of Alexius V (Dukas). Alexius IV was killed. The new ruler refused to make payments to the Crusaders and demanded their withdrawal. | 4 |
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| April 12 |
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| The Crusaders stormed the city, which was given over to a merciless sack. The emperor succeeded in escaping. (See Latin and Greek States in the Middle East) | 5 |
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