Page:The history of medieval Europe.djvu/168

 132 THE HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE lars in shows for the people. Anastasius had abolished hu- The sports man combats with wild beasts, but they were oFthe Ctl ° nS now once more permitted. Even more than such Hippodrome combats, however, or than going to the theaters, of which one bore the sinister name, "The Harlots," the favorite pastime of Constantinople was the exciting four- horse chariot-races of the circus, which were held, usually on Sunday, in the great Hippodrome seating thirty thou- sand men — for women did not attend. The spectators took sides according to the colors worn by their favorite charioteers, and occupied blocks of seats reserved for their respective colors. Thus arose the two great parties of Greens and Blues, who divided the city and who often car- ried their rivalry to the point of animosity and blows. These two factions could, at least on occasion, become political parties. Anastasius had favored the Greens. Justinian and Theodora adhered to the Blues. Triumphal processions were held in the Hippodrome; also the emperor was a frequent and interested spectator of the races ; and the people thus had a chance upon this informal occasion to let him know how they felt. Usually he was applauded, but sometimes was hissed, "boo-ed," or made the target of saucy remarks and of complaints about the conduct of the government. Sometimes a serious riot occurred, if riot in the Hippo- drome during the performance, then afterwards in the The Nika streets. In 532, both Greens and Blues became offended at the city prefect, and then demanded the dismissal of both Tribonian and John of Cappadocia, and were not satisfied even with that. When troops were sent against them, they drove the soldiers back to the imperial palace and set the city on fire. Justinian made a personal appeal to them in the Hippodrome, but the fren- zied crowd refused to accept his promises and proclaimed a rival emperor. Justinian thereupon became thoroughly alarmed and was inclined to leave the city. But Theodora made a courageous speech to his council declaring that she would not flee; Narses went out to win back some of the