Dandolo, Enrico

Born about 1108 in Venice; died June 14, 1205, in Constantinople. Became Venetian doge in 1192. Dandolo and the leaders of the Fourth Crusade concluded an agreement on the transport of the crusaders across the sea. Taking advanatage of the desperate situation of the crusaders, who had gathered in Venice, he forced them to attack Dalmatia, where in 1202 they conquered Zadar, a trade rival of Venice. Then, with his backing, the destination of the Fourth Crusade was changed from Palestine or Egypt to Byzantium. With his assistance it looted Constantinople in 1204. This event marked the beginning of the Latin Empire, in which Venice received considerable territory, mainly coastal lands. Thus, the transformation of Venice into a colonial power was basically completed.