The Nika Riots of Constantinople

7 min readDec 25, 2023

Hello friend,

Today, I’m writing to you from the year 533 AD while sitting on the ancient stone steps of the Hippodrome in the center of Constantinople, a city pulsing with life yet haunted by recent chaos. The Nika Riots happened last year and have changed the course of the Byzantine Empire. So, while sitting here while the horses race like nothing ever happened, let me tell you about these riots that led to the destruction of half the city and the deaths of tens of thousands.

Constantinople

But let me tell you a bit about Constantinople first, the jewel of the Byzantine Empire. Today called Istanbul, Constantinople was named after Constantin the Great, who, in 330 AD, made it the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. There were multiple reasons for this decision, though one primary consideration was the strategic position of the city that enabled trade and influence toward the East.

This city is a melting pot of cultures, a trade hub, and a power center. While wandering through its cobbled streets last week, I was captivated by all the smells, different languages, markets, and sounds. You cannot imagine the constant buzz that fills the air. One interesting thing I noticed is that the people refer to themselves as Romans, which makes sense since the term Byzantine Empire was only used later to describe this late era of the Roman Empire — Byzantium was the name of the city before Constantin renamed it.

The Hippodrome, where I sit, is the heart of the city’s social life, similar to Rome’s Colosseum. Imagine a grand, elongated U-shaped arena adorned with statues and obelisks, filled with passionate crowds cheering for their favorite charioteers. It’s not just a venue for sports; it’s where the populace asserts its voice, often directly to the Emperor. And last year, it was the sight of a brutal bloodbath.

Ruins of the Hippodrome, an engraving by Onofrio Panvinio in his work *De Ludis Circensibus* (Venice, 1600)

Just before the riots

But there was tension growing within this magnificent city. Before my arrival, there was a mix of political dissatisfaction, social unrest, and intense factional rivalry. The city’s populace was divided mainly between two factions: the Blues and the Greens. These factions initially represented chariot racing teams but eventually became powerful political entities, often influencing imperial policies. Unsuccessful wars with Persia and opposing political views led to tension within the population. The high taxes set by Emperor Justinian and the allegations of corruption fueled the population’s disapproval, and in the end, it wasn’t the Blues and Greens that fought against each other.

The riots

Riots at the Hippodrome, while not typical, were nothing unheard of. In our time, we would call some supporters who let their emotions get out of hand during sports events hooligans. However, in 531, someone died during a riot, and members of the Blues and Greens were arrested for murder and sentenced to be executed. Two men, one of each fraction, escaped and hid within the city. While the emperor Justinian demanded the escaped prisoners be found and executed, both factions united in their demand for them to be set free.

On January 13th 532, people gathered for another horse race at the Hippodrome. Justinian watched the races from a high box in his palace adjacent to the stadium, and right from the beginning, the crowd booed at him and insulted him. The typical “Blue” or “Green” chants were replaced as the usual rivalry was set aside, and they united over their shared claim. The mood escalated increasingly, resulting in the crowd’s joined chant of “Nika!” meaning “Conquer!” during the 22nd race of the day. Emperor Justinian, intending to show firmness, refused their demands, inadvertently lighting the fuse of rebellion.

The crowd started attacking the palace, which marked the start of the most violent riots in Constantinople’s history. The following days were pure chaos. Much of the city, including the magnificent Hagia Sophia, was burned, Senators tried to overthrow the government and secretly supported the rioters, and Justinian considered fleeing the city. Empress Theodora played a pivotal role as she famously persuaded Justinian to stay and fight. Her resolve and strategic counsel were decisive in ending the chaos.

A brutal finale

To set an end to the chaos, Justinian came up with a brutal plan. He ordered General Belisarius, a loyal and skilled commander who was instrumental in suppressing the riots, to trap the rioters inside the Hippodrome. He offered gold to the Blues to show his support to them over the Greens and asked them to stop the riots. Many took the gold and left while all the Greens stayed. Then, he chose an act of violence nobody saw coming. He sealed off the exits to the Hippodrome and ordered the Imperial troops to slaughter everyone left, regardless of their fraction. This was the end of the riots.

Aftermatch

As I sit here and watch the races, it is hard to forget what happened just a year ago. It’s estimated that over 30,000 people were killed, and while Justinian restored order, the scars of the Nika Riots remain embedded in the city’s history. The rebellion did, however, strengthen Justinian’s rule. He rebuilt the city, including the Hagia Sophia, transforming it into a magnificent cathedral that still stands as a testament to his reign.

Sitting here, the contrast is stark. The Hippodrome, once a field of death, now resounds with the cheers and excitement of a race. It’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change, how swiftly order can turn to chaos, and vice versa.

Constantinople is resilient, a city that, under multiple names, has seen empires rise and fall. The life here is vibrant and diverse, a blend of the ancient and the modern, the east and the west. The markets are bustling, the streets are filled with music and different languages, and the scent of spices and sea air intermingle. It’s a city that embodies the human spirit’s endurance, its capacity for creation and destruction, and its perpetual quest for glory and power.

As I prepare to leave this era to embark on my next adventure, the lessons of the Nika Riots and the resilience of Constantinople linger in my thoughts. History is not just a sequence of events; it’s a tapestry of human experiences, aspirations, and often, tragic missteps. These lessons, I believe, are timeless, transcending the ages and speaking to us across the centuries.

And this, my friend, concludes our story for today.

I don’t know from where and when I’ll write you next time, but be sure to stay on the lookout for my letters.

🧳

Quick Facts & Suggested Reading

About the Byzantine Empire and the Hagia Sophia

The Byzantine Empire

Foundation: The Byzantine Empire began in 330 AD when Emperor Constantine relocated the Roman capital to Byzantium, later renamed Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). While we use this name today, the people living in Constantinople referred to themselves as Romans, as the name Byzantine Empire was used later to describe this period of time.
Duration: It lasted for over a millennium, from 330 AD to 1453 AD, when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks.
Cultural Melting Pot: The empire was a fusion of Roman political structure, Greek culture, and Christian religion.
Legal Reforms: Emperor Justinian I’s reign (527–565 AD) saw the codification of Roman laws, known as the “Corpus Juris Civilis,” a foundation for modern civil law systems.
Economic Power: Constantinople was a major trade hub, linking Europe and Asia. The empire was known for its wealth, particularly in luxury goods and spices.
Religious Influence: The Byzantine Empire played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity. It was central to the Eastern Orthodox Church, distinct from Western Christianity.
Art and Architecture: Famous for its art, including mosaics and architectural marvels such as the Hagia Sophia. The Byzantine style influenced the Renaissance and beyond.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into the era of the Nika Riots and the reign of Emperor Justinian in Constantinople, here are some suggesteions:

The Hagia Sophia

Original Construction: Built in 537 AD under Emperor Justinian I, following the Nika Riots.
Meaning of Name: “Hagia Sophia” means “Holy Wisdom” in Greek.
Architectural Wonder: Renowned for its massive dome, it was considered a marvel of engineering for its time.
Multiple Roles: It has served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum.
Cultural Symbol: Represents the artistic and religious history of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
Mosaics: Famous for its intricate mosaics, many of which depict religious figures and were covered or uncovered depending on the building’s role at the time.
Reconversions: Converted into a mosque in 1453 after the fall of Constantinople. In 1935, it was secularized and turned into a museum by the Republic of Turkey. In 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque.
World Heritage Site: Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its significance in world history and architecture.