Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 4 (1897).djvu/557

 APPENDIX 533 11. THE NIKA RIOT Gi))l)oii does not distinguish the days on which the various events of the Nika riot toiik- I'lncf. and lie has fallen into some errors. Thus, like most other his- torian ;, li ; l." 's tl.c celel)rated dialogue between Justinian and the Greens on the; idiv, i.t l;ii vy, whereas it took place two days before. The extrication of the oiilii (il ( ( iits from our various sources is attended with some difficulty. The following diary is based on a study of the subject contributed by me to the .Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1897. Sunday, Jan. 11 (Wxra Sti KoAaTrdSioi'). The Greens complain in the Hippo- drome to the Emperor of the conduct of Calapodius. Dialogue of Jus- tinian with the Greens (described by Theophanes). The Greens leave the Hippodrome. In the evening a number of criminals, both Blues and Greens, ai-e exe- cuted Ijy the Praefect of the City. This execution was doubtless a conse- (jvieuce of the scene in the Hippodrome, being designed to display the Emperor's im]iartiality to Ulues and Greens alike. A IJlue and a Green are rescued and taken to the Asylum of St. Lavirentius. INIonday, Jan. 12. The interval of a day gives the two factions time to concert joint action for ol)taining the pardon of the two rescued criminals. Tuesday, Jan. 13. Great celebration of horse-races in the Hippodrome (for which the races of Sunday were a sort of rehearsal). Both Demes appeal to the Emperor for mercy in vain. They then declare their union openly (as the Prasinorcneti or Green-Bhies). In the evening they go in a crowd to the Praefect of the City and make a new demand for a reprieve. Receiving no answer they attack the Praetorium and set it on fire ; prisoners in the Praetorium prison are let out. The rioters then march to the Augusteum to attack the Palace. There are conflagrations during the night and ensuing day, and the following buildings are destroyed : the Chalke or portico of Palace, the Baths of Zeuxipjjus, the Senatehouse of the Augusteum, the Church of St. Soijhia. This is ie firs^t conflagration. "Wednesday, Jan. 14. The riot, which had begun with a demand for a re- prieve, now develops into an insurrection against the oppression of the administration. The outcry is directed esjjecially against John the Cappa- docian, Tribonian, and Eudaemon (Praef. of the City). Justinian yields to the pressure and deposes these ministers. But it is too late ; the in- surgents are determined to depose him, and the idea is to set in his place a member of the house of Anastasius. As Hypatius and Pompeius were in the Palace the i)eoi)le rush to the house of their brother Probus. But J'loliiis is Hot foiiiid, niid thry set fire to his house. Tliuisilay, ■l:iii. i.'). Ilclisarius, at the head of a band of Heruls and Goths, issiK's iVdui lv Palace and attacks the mob. Fighting in the streets. It was, perhaps, on this day that the clergy- intervened. Friday, Jan. IG. A new attack is made on the Praetorium. Fighting in the streets continues, and a second conflagration breaks out in the quarter north of S. Irene and the Hostel of Eubulus. The fire, blown southward by a north wind, consumes this Hostel, the Baths of Alexander, the Church of St. Irene, and the Hostel of Sampson. Saturday, Jan. 17. The fighting continues. The rioters occujiy a building called the Octaijcin. (near the Basilica). The soldiers set fire to it, and a tJiird conflagiation ensues. This fire destroys the Octagon, the Church of St. Theodoie Sjilioracius. the Palace of Lausus, the Porticoes of the Mese or Middle Street, tlir Cliiiich of St. Aquilina, the arch across the Mese close to tlio Foi'iim oi' ( onstajitiiic, he. Evening, Hypatius and J'oiupeius leave the Palace,