Their party was defeated on 2 May 1182 , but Andronikos Komnenos , a first cousin of Emperor Manuel , took advantage of the disorder to aim at the crown . He entered Constantinople , received with almost divine honours , and overthrew the government . His arrival was celebrated by a massacre of 80,000 Latins in Constantinople , especially the Venetian merchants , which he made no attempt to stop . He allowed Alexios II to be crowned but was responsible for the death of most of the young emperor 's actual or potential defenders , including his mother , his half-sister , and the Caesar , and he refused to allow him any voice in public affairs
massacre of 80,000 Latins
Massacre of the Latins
Alexios II Komnenos