Second Crusade. Conrad III carries out the operation with his young son Frederick (later Barbarossa). The Latins reach Jerusalem and make the mistaken decision to attack Damascus, which, however, does not fall. Conrad III ultimately has to re-embark at Acre bound for Constantinople, leaving the crusade unfinished. The Mediterranean dream of unifying the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, however, remains deeply imprinted on the young Frederick, who will cultivate it throughout his life. However, he must first subjugate the Italian cities, the only ones capable of providing the financial resources necessary for the task.
