Alexios V Doukas

Alexios V Doukas, also known as Mourtzouphlos, was a Byzantine emperor who ruled for a brief period from February to April in the year 1204. Born in 1140, he rose to power through a palace coup, a move that involved the assassination of his predecessors. His reign was marked by turmoil as he faced the impending threat of the Fourth Crusade, which ultimately led to the sack of Constantinople.

Despite his vigorous attempts to defend the city against the crusader army, Alexios V's military strategies proved ineffective. While he garnered the support of the common populace through his efforts, he simultaneously alienated the city's elite, which would have dire consequences for his rule.

Following the fall and subsequent occupation of Constantinople, Alexios V faced a grim fate. He was blinded by his father-in-law, the ex-emperor Alexios III, and later executed by the new Latin regime. His reign marked the end of Byzantine rule in Constantinople until its recapture in the year 1261, making him a significant, albeit tragic, figure in Byzantine history.