The conquest of Zara, a port on the Adriatic claimed by the Venetians from the king of Hungary, was the only object overtly mentioned; but the idea of the expedition to Constantinople was in the air, and the crusaders knew what was ultimately expected.
By 1102, however, Zara, Trail, Spalato and all the islands as far as the Cetina were in his hands.
But Zara and Dalmatia had revolted from Venice in 1166 and were as yet unsubdued.
Zara was recovered, and while still at Zara the leaders of the Crusade, supported by Dandolo, resolved for their own private purposes to attack Constantinople, instead of making for the Holy Land.
In November 1202 Zara was taken; and at Zara the fatal decision was made.