Founding of the Duchy of Athens: What Happened
In 1205, following the Fourth Crusade, the Burgundian knight Otho de la Roche took control of Athens and Thebes, establishing a Frankish state that became known as the Duchy of Athens. It covered Attica, Boeotia and parts of the surrounding region, with its main center at Thebes. For the first time in centuries, Athens was ruled by a Western European aristocracy. The Parthenon on the Acropolis, which had long served as an Orthodox church, became a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The dukes built fortifications on the Acropolis, including a tall tower that stood until the 19th century. Thebes grew wealthy from the silk industry. In 1311, the Catalan Company, a band of mercenaries, defeated the duke and took over the duchy, ruling it for decades. In 1388, the Florentine Acciaioli family gained control. The duchy lasted until the Ottomans captured Athens between 1456 and 1458. Its rule lasted around 250 years and left traces of Frankish architecture in Athens and the surrounding region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Duchy of Athens?
The Duchy of Athens was a Frankish state founded in 1205 after the Fourth Crusade, covering Attica, Boeotia and parts of the surrounding region.
Who founded the Duchy of Athens?
It was founded by Otho de la Roche, a knight from Burgundy in France, who took control of Athens and Thebes after the crusade.
What happened to the Parthenon under the Duchy of Athens?
The Parthenon, which had been an Orthodox church, became a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the Frankish dukes.
Who ruled the Duchy of Athens after the Franks?
The Catalan Company took over in 1311, and the Florentine Acciaioli family gained control in 1388, ruling until the Ottoman conquest.
When did the Duchy of Athens end?
The Duchy of Athens ended when the Ottomans captured Athens between 1456 and 1458, after about 250 years of Western rule.
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