The besieging forces, primarily composed of Western European knights faced initial setbacks, but their determination and advanced siege weaponry played a pivotal role in pressuring the Byzantine defenders.

Amidst the chaos, the Byzantine emperor was overthrown, leading to a power vacuum and setting the stage for the more infamous events of 1204 when the crusaders, frustrated by unpaid debts and political turmoil, eventually sacked the city.

[5] As the crusaders laid siege to the Tower, the defenders routinely attempted to sally out with some limited success, but often suffered bloody losses.

The next morning, the Crusaders were surprised to find that the citizens had released Isaac II from prison and proclaimed him emperor, despite the fact that he had been blinded to make him ineligible to rule.

The Crusaders forced Isaac II to proclaim his son Alexios IV co-emperor on 1 August, effectively ending the siege.

But riots between anti-Crusader Greeks and pro-Crusader Latins broke out later that month and lasted until November, during which most of the populace began to turn against Emperor Alexios IV.