Alexius IV

Alexius IV was the son of Byzantine emperor Isaac II and nephew of Alexius III. When Alexius III overthrew Isaac II in a coup in 1195, he escaped from the custody of his uncle and fled to his brother-in-law Philip of Swabia. While there he met Boniface of Montferrat, Philip's cousin, who had been chosen to lead the Fourth Crusade. They discussed diverting the Crusade to Constantinople so that Alexius and his father could be restored to the throne. In return, Alexius would give them Byzantine soldiers to help fight the Crusade, as well as money to pay off the Crusaders' debt to the Venetians. In 1203 the Crusaders chased Alexius III out of Constantinople. Alexius IV and his father were re-crowned as co-emperors, although Isaac soon died. Because of his unpopular support for the "Latins" (Crusaders), in 1204 Alexius IV was overthrown in a coup and shortly afterwards was murdered by Alexius V.

Preceded by: Alexius III

Byzantine emperors

Followed by: Alexius V