The Nika Riots

Do you know what is considered to be the largest and deadliest sports riot in history? You would be forgiven for believing it was a large football hooliganism incident in the 1970/80s, or a baseball riot in Philadelphia. In truth, the largest sports riot occurred in 532 CE, during the height of the Byzantine Empire over chariot racing and is known to us as the Nika Riot. These riots almost brought down the government of the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian I, and destroyed large swaths of Constantinople.

              The Romans were obviously obsessed with sporting events, just look at the ruins of large arenas that still stand, dotted around the former Roman world. However, the Romans (and the later Byzantines) were not just about gladiatorial games, but were also ravenous chariot racing fans, at one point having four major teams, during the West and the Eastern Empires. The races occurred at arenas known as Circuses, or Hippodromes. The two most famous, and largest, being the Circus Maximus in Rome and the Hippodrome of Constantinople. By the time of our riot, in the 6th century, these teams had consolidated into two, the Greens and the Blues, named after the uniforms that the charioteer teams would wear to differentiate themselves from one another, with each faction representing different sides of society, the Greens having more support from wealthy citizens and the Blues with the working or middle class, although the factions had followers from all walks of life. To make things even more interesting, these fan groups acted like something more akin to violent grassroots political groups that were also sports fanatics. They would frequently shout from the stands their feelings on politics, religion, taxation, and current events, usually directed at the emperor, who was often in attendance. The two groups became so powerful (helped along by political backing from high powered senators and other officials) in their control of their populace, that the Imperial security apparatus had to cooperate with Blues and Greens to maintain order. There were frequent but limited “incidents” between the two fan bases or between fans and authorities, often resulting in the arrest and sometimes execution of leaders (usually if deaths occurred due to the riots). One of these executions (and its botching) was the catalyst for the Nika Riot. But what set this riot apart from previous incidents, was the political tension at the time.

              At the time of the riots, Justinian I (a former Blue supporter), was facing a period of disapproval due to his recent reform of the civil service, higher taxes, a recent lost war to the Persian Empire, and his implementation of significant legal reforms. Justinian himself was also seen by some an illegitimate emperor due to his perceived lack of class and pedigree from the nobility, being regarded as an upstart. The previous emperor, Anastasius, died without arrangements for a successor and while he had three nephews, none were considered a viable candidate. Justinian’s uncle, Justin, used support amongst the military to proclaim himself Emperor. Justinian served as his uncle’s advisor, replacing him upon his death, nine years later. On top of these exacerbating issues, Justinian also attempted to clamp down on the influence the Blues and the Greens had. The Greens felt this was a tyrannical action while the Blues felt betrayed due to Justinian’s previous support of the Blues. Usually, Emperors would back one of the two factions, but Justinian, while a former blue supporter, tried to stay impartial, hence the cracking down on both groups. Three days prior to the main riot beginning on 13 January 532, a smaller riot resulted in the imprisonment and subsequent execution of members from both the Greens and Blues, but two of the condemned, survived their hanging. Taking the opportunity now presented to them, they fled into a nearby church, barricading themselves within. During later races that day, the two factions chanted for 22 out of 24 races and requested Justinian I, who was present at the races from his imperial booth within the palace (the palace was next to the hippodrome), show the two survivors mercy but there was no response from the Imperial booth. The crowd, now incensed, flooded out of the Hippodrome (trampling many people in the process) and broke into smaller groups with some surrounding the palace and attempting to take it, putting the palace under siege. Others spread out amongst the city, starting fires that engulfed large parts of Constantinople. Some of the crowd arrived at the City Praetorium, the location of the official overseeing the hanging of the prisoners that kicked the whole thing off, demanding the release of the two surviving prisoners. When no response was received, they burned the building down, probably freeing the prisoners in the process – no more requests are made for their release after this event. 

              On the second day of the riot, Justinian attempted to calm the riots by announcing additional races, but this did nothing to placate the crowd, who continued to riot and now set fire to the Hippodrome itself, causing damage. The crowd then turned their anger on those they blamed for preventing the emperor from previously releasing the two prisoners, demanding the resignation of three unpopular ministers, which Justinian conceded. However, the crowd, now sensing blood in the water, pressed their luck and continued to riot, starting more fires. At this point, some of the crowd were armed and it became obvious they supported wider political machinations. Senators opposed to Justinian, took the opportunity to influence the crowd and the focus changed from releasing of prisoners to total regime change of the Byzantine throne. One of the nephews of the previous emperor Anastasius, was proclaimed by the mob as the new emperor either on the third or fourth day (the chronological events of the riot are hard to piece together). This nephew, Probus, did not accept their proclamation. The crowd continued to set fires, eventually catching the Hagia Sophia on fire and destroying the buildings around it in the process. Finally, Justinian made the decision to call in soldiers to quell the riots, calling troops from Thrace to enter the city, arriving the next day.

              The soldiers engaged the rioters in a pitched fight within the streets but failed to put down the riot by the end of the day. Although previously damaged due to fire, the Hippodrome became the main center of operations for the Blues and Greens, who’s prominent individuals still sat in their respective sections, even as they directed the riots. On 18 January, Justinian entered the Hippodrome and appealed to the crowd there. Justinian brought copies of the Gospels with him and apologized for not agreeing to the demands right away and offered a pardon of the rioters. While some in the crowd received these words warmly, others hurled insults at him, causing him to withdraw again to the palace. After Justinian’s withdrawal, the crowd declared another nephew of the Anastasius, Hypatius, as Emperor. Hypatitus was taken by the crowd, having been adorned in improvised regalia, to the Hippodrome, drawing more and more people to the arena. Justinian, receiving word of what was happening, ordered the palace sealed off entirely and prepared to flee the city. However, Justinian’s wife Theodora famously convinced him to hold his ground and remain in the capital. Historians debate on whether Justinian planned to outright flee or just leave Constantinople, knowing the violence that was coming (no matter who won the struggle for Emperor) and wished to not be present. Oddly, Hypatius, still wishing to show his loyalty to Justinian, informed the palace that most of the mob was now in the Hippodrome, but was told that Justinian had fled (even though he had not), clearing the way for his taking of the throne. Initially hesitant, Hypatius now started to engage with the crowd calling for his reign. Armed members of the Green faction also had arrived in the Hippodrome, preparing to force their way into the palace in support of Hypatius, a fellow green supporter.

              While this was happening, Justinian realizing that violent confrontation was required, ordered the military to seal off the Hippodrome. He also ordered an advisor into the Hippodrome to divide up the factions and arrange support from the Blues, playing on Justinian’s previous support for them and reminding them that Hypatius was a green supporter, causing some Blues to leave the arena. The great Byzantine general Belisarius (who we may do an article on in the future) then entered the arena, after having other commanders seal of the entrances. Once Belisarius arrived, the slaughter began. The soldiers killed everyone in the arena they could, Blues and Greens, slaughtering indiscriminately. When the killing stopped, around 30,000 people were dead, officially ending the Nika Riots. 

              Justinian realized that although the riots were over, he had to solidify his authority that was now badly shaken. He ordered the execution of Hypatius, confiscated the property of Senators supporting the rioters, and hunted down any remaining agitators. Never again would the Blues and Greens unite with one another, except in times of war. Justinian would rule until 565 CE, rebuilding Constantinople and the destroyed Hagia Sophia.