“For the Honor of God and of the Holy Roman Church:” Understanding Venetian Motivations and Involvement during the Fourth Crusade
Daniels, Eb Joseph
Bachelor of Arts with Honors, The Institute of the Liberal Arts, Emory University, April 13th (2011)
Abstract
Venetian participation in the Fourth Crusade has often been misconstrued by modern historians as self-serving and materialistic, a gross corruption and subversion of the crusader ideal in service to the advancement of a secular state. It has been argued that the diversion of the Fourth Crusade from Egypt to Zara and then to Constantinople was a deliberate attempt by the Venetians to nefariously employ a holy army for selfish political and economic advancement. Such a notion fails to appreciate not only the very meaningful contributions of the Venetians during the whole crusading movement but also the fundamental concept of the crusade itself. This thesis will attempt to understand the often controversial actions of the Venetians during the Fourth Crusade through an analysis of the history of the crusading movement, with special emphasis on Byzantine relations, the historical interactions between Venice and Byzantium, and the particular contributions of the Venetians during the Fourth Crusade itself and perceptions of the Venetians by their fellow crusaders, the papacy, and the Greeks. The nature of the Venetian crusading spirit and her relationship with the pope will be instrumental in understanding this final point. Through a close analysis of the often polemical secondary resources and a nuanced reading of the extant primary texts, it will be possible to paint a more realistic picture of Venetian motivations and involvement during the Fourth Crusade. The author hopes to illustrate that, contrary to the opinions of many, the Venetians, as their leader, Enrico Dandolo, stated, fought always “for the honor of God and of the Holy Roman Church.”
“For the Honor of God and of the Holy Roman Church:” Understanding Venetian Motivations and Involvement
during the Fourth Crusade
Daniels, Eb Joseph
Bachelor of Arts with Honors, The Institute of the Liberal Arts, Emory University, April 13th (2011)
Abstract
Venetian participation in the Fourth Crusade has often been misconstrued by modern historians as self-serving and materialistic, a gross corruption and subversion of the crusader ideal in service to the advancement of a secular state. It has been argued that the diversion of the Fourth Crusade from Egypt to Zara and then to Constantinople was a deliberate attempt by the Venetians to nefariously employ a holy army for selfish political and economic advancement. Such a notion fails to appreciate not only the very meaningful contributions of the Venetians during the whole crusading movement but also the fundamental concept of the crusade itself. This thesis will attempt to understand the often controversial actions of the Venetians during the Fourth Crusade through an analysis of the history of the crusading movement, with special emphasis on Byzantine relations, the historical interactions between Venice and Byzantium, and the particular contributions of the Venetians during the Fourth Crusade itself and perceptions of the Venetians by their fellow crusaders, the papacy, and the Greeks. The nature of the Venetian crusading spirit and her relationship with the pope will be instrumental in understanding this final point. Through a close analysis of the often polemical secondary resources and a nuanced reading of the extant primary texts, it will be possible to paint a more realistic picture of Venetian motivations and involvement during the Fourth Crusade. The author hopes to illustrate that, contrary to the opinions of many, the Venetians, as their leader, Enrico Dandolo, stated, fought always “for the honor of God and of the Holy Roman Church.”
Click here to read this thesis from Emory University
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts