Long before the Ottomans, the Hippodrome of Constantinople was the city's political pulse. This episode unpacks the chariot races, the Blues and Greens, and how a sporting rivalry ignited the Nika Revolt. We follow the Hippodrome's construction under Septimius Severus and Constantine the Great, the legendary rivalry of charioteer Porphyrius, the intricate faction politics that led to Justinian's near-overthrow, and the brutal massacre that restored order. We also explore the Hippodrome's lingering presence in Istanbul's Sultanahmet square, where the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk still stand. A deep dive into how a racetrack became a stage for imperial power and popular fury.

#Hippodrome #Constantinople #Istanbul #ChariotRacing #NikaRevolt #BluesAndGreens #Porphyrius #Justinian #Theodora #Belisarius #Sultanahmet #SerpentColumn #ObeliskOfTheodosius #ByzantineEmpire #LateAntiquity #Charioteer #History #FexingoHistory

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