The Hippodrome's Chariot Racing: Politics, Blood and Empire

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the political and social world of chariot racing in Constantinople's Hippodrome. They delve into the fierce rivalry between the Blues and Greens, how emperors manipulated the factions, and the deadly Nika Riots. But they also uncover lesser-known stories: the career of the legendary charioteer Porphyrius, whose monument still stands in Istanbul; the role of the Hippodrome as a venue for imperial propaganda and public executions; and how the racing culture reflected the broader tensions of the Byzantine Empire. Along the way, they discuss the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Thutmose III, and the Walled Obelisk, all of which still line the spina. The episode brings to life the roar of the crowd, the danger of the track, and the high stakes of a sport that could topple emperors.

#Hippodrome #ChariotRacing #ByzantineEmpire #Constantinople #BluesAndGreens #NikaRiots #Porphyrius #SerpentColumn #ObeliskOfThutmoseIII #WalledObelisk #Justinian #Theodora #ByzantineSports #History #FexingoHistory #Istanbul #RomanEmpire #LateAntiquity #OttomanEmpire #HagiaSophia

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