1187 Defeat of rebels by Joannes Cantacuzenus. Alexius Branas given command of army. He takes advantage of victories to proclaim himself emperor and appears before Constantinople, but is defeated and killed by Isaac’s brother-in-law, Conrad of Montferrat. William II of Sicily gives up his conquests in Greece. 1188 Wallachian successes lead to formation of independent kingdom. 1189 Emperor Frederick I of Germany appears with 150,000 crusaders. The terrified Isaac offers to make alliance with Saladin, but the latter declines. Theodore Mancaphas proclaims himself emperor. He is pardoned, and gives up claim. Careers of the “False Alexius” and other pretenders. 1191 Capture of Cyprus by Richard I of England. It is lost forever to the empire. 1194 Isaac recognises the Wallachian kingdom. 1195 Isaac deposed by the nobles, and his brother =Alexius (III) Angelus-Comnenus= “the tyrant” made emperor. Alexius has Isaac’s eyes put out, and imprisons him in a Constantinople dungeon. Alexius’ extravagant conduct completes the destruction of the financial mechanism of the Roman Empire. Great disorder and anarchy throughout the empire. 1197 Peace purchased from Mueddin, sultan of Angora. 1198 War with the sultan of Iconium. 1199 Rebellion of Chryses, the Wallachian officer. Alexius makes peace, leaving him in possession of several towns. 1200 Ivan the Bulgarian attempts to found independent monarchy in Thrace and Macedonia. 1202 Alexius, son of Isaac II, escaping to Italy, brings about treaty between Venetians and crusaders to replace Isaac and himself on the throne. 1203 Siege of Constantinople. Flight of Alexius III to Italy. Crusaders occupy the city. =Isaac III= and =Alexius (IV) Angelus= on the throne. Great fire in Constantinople. Constant trouble between Alexius and the crusaders, in consequence of which 1204 =Alexius (V) Ducas= “=Murzuphlus=,” a party leader, seizes the throne. Murder of Alexius IV. Isaac dies of grief. Alexius finds it impossible to hold out against the crusaders. Capture and sack of Constantinople by crusaders and Venetians. Treaty of partition. End of true Byzantine Empire. The Latin Empire of Romania founded with Baldwin, count of Flanders. The Greek Empire continues at Nicæa. THE LATIN EMPIRE OF ROMANIA (1204-1261 A.D.) 1204 =Baldwin I= elected emperor. His dominions consist only of Constantinople and Thrace, for the rest of the empire is divided among the Flemish, French, and Venetian leaders. 1205 Joannice of Bulgaria revolts, and obtains possession of Hadrianopolis. Capture of Baldwin in siege of town. He dies in captivity. His brother =Henry I= succeeds.