EFFORTS OF THE WEST TO POSSESS ISTANBUL FROM THE FIRST CRUSADE TILL THE CONQUEST OF ISTANBUL

Abstract

Istanbul, an important hub throughout the history, has always attracted attention thanks to its beauty, strategic location, wealth and greatness. The city which served as capital city first for the Roman Empire and then for the Eastern Roman Empire aka Byzantine Empire meant more than just a capital city for both Empires. As such, Istanbul was receiving admiration from all over the world but at the same time envy. Accordingly, from time to time, various nations laid sieges to the city to posses it, and the West also attempted to capture it. Starting from the First Crusade from 1096 to 1099, the West showed great efforts to capture Istanbul, finally managing to take the city in 1204 with the Fourth Crusade. Though the Empire retook Istanbul from the Crusaders in 1261, the West proceeded with its efforts to recapture Istanbul.