A chariot race in 532 spiraled into a riot that nearly toppled the Byzantine Empire
What began as a heated disagreement over a chariot race at the Hippodrome transformed into the Nika Riots, a violent uprising that burned half of Constantinople to the ground.
In January 532, rival sports factions known as the Blues and Greens united against Emperor Justinian I after a botched execution of their members. The shouting of 'Nika!' or 'Victory!' echoed through the streets as the mob set fire to the city, including the original Hagia Sophia.
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