
37 
costs. In the absence of clear evidence it is not necessary to 
regard Dandolo as anything worse than ashrewd politician, who 
seized any and every opportunity of furthering the interests of 
his government. 
On.the 10th of July, 1203, from its halting place at Scutari, 
the attacking host made the short passage of the Bosphorus. 
The usurper Alexis, who made a timid demonstration outside 
the city, was quickly driven to safer quarters within the walls. 
During the following night the Venetians and crusaders entered 
the harbour after a brief struggle with the Imperial troops.. It 
was then agreed that the Frank and German crusaders should 
attack the city on the land side, and that the Venetians should 
attack by means of their ladders and towers from the harbour. 
Dandolo, showing great personal courage, quickly effected an 
entrance into the city, but he was induced to abandon the ad- 
vantage gained through a rumour that the crusaders on the land’ 
side were hard beset. During the following night the usurper, 
Alexis III, escaped from the city, whereupon the lawful 
emperor Isaac, blind through his brother’s cruelty, was restored 
to the throne. The obligations of young Alexis were acknow- 
ledged and confirmed, and a little later he was crowned joint- 
emperor. Month after month passed, however, and little or 
nothing was done to redeem the promises of money and help 
so readily given. Several disastrous fires half ruined the city, 
for which the Greeks held the Latins responsible. The young 
emperor got into the hands of a Greek party who advised him to 
throw over his old friends. Thus the combined forces of the 
Venetians and Franks were ‘‘ between the hammer and the 
anvil,’ and must either attempt to reduce the city on their 
own account, or abandon a fruitless enterprise. The more 
vigorous policy was decided upon. In the meantime the too 
confiding Alexis IV. was decoyed to a secret chamber in the 
Imperial palace and strangled by a Greek courtier, nicknamed 
Mourzoufle. About the same time the old emperor Isaac died. 
Before the Latins proceeded to attack the city it was decided in 
Council in the event of success that all the booty should be 
shared equally, and that an emperor should be elected by a body 
of six Franks and six Venetians. On Friday, April 9th, 1204, 
the land and sea forces having been united, an attack was made 
on the harbour side. The assault ended in failure, but three 
days later, by means of lashing two vessels together, an effective 
foothold was gained, and in a very short time the Crusaders 
were masters of the city and empire. In deference doubtless 
to the wishes of Enrico Dandolo, Baldwin, count of Flanders, 
was elected first Latin Emperor of Romania. Language cannot 
describe, nor can anything excuse, the conduct of the conquerors 
