1025-1204 CE
From 1025 to 1204 CE, the Byzantines witnessed their empire's long twilight — the death of Basil the Bulgar-Slayer leaving no worthy heir, Manzikert opening Anatolia to Turkish horsemen, the Komnenoi staging a brilliant revival only for the Fourth Crusade to turn Christian swords against Constantinople itself. In 1204, crusaders who had vowed to free Jerusalem instead plundered the greatest Christian city on earth.