Nika Riots
The Nika Riots of Constantinople took place during a week in 532 AD in a rebellion against the Roman Emperor Justinian I. Tens of thousands of people were killed, and nearly half of Constantinople was burned down, including the great Hagia Sophia and Hagia Irene churches.
The riots were started by two rival political and trade factions, the Blues and the Greens. Members wore their faction’s color to show which side they belonged to. The two groups often competed against each other in chariot races at the hippodrome and, in some cases, operated as criminal gangs.
Before the riots, there was already much discontent with Justinian I over high taxes and the corruption of government officials. When Justinian attended a chariot race, both sides would shout political demands and insults at him.
Because of deaths resulting from hooliganism after a chariot race, Justinian ordered the murderers to be arrested and executed. Two of them, one a Blue and the other a Green, escaped and sought refuge in a church. Both the Blues and the Greens demanded their pardon, but Justinian refused. The rioters began shouting “Nika,” which means “Conquer!” and started destroying the city.
To end the rioting, Justinian had two of his top military generals go to the Hippodrome when it was full of rioters and their supporters. The exits were sealed off, and the army went in and massacred everyone inside.
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