A massive chariot-racing stadium connected to the imperial palace by an imperial box, the Hippodrome of Constantinople served as the civic heart of the city and the primary forum for popular politics, seating tens of thousands and housing antiquities such as the Serpent Column and track obelisks. It witnessed pivotal moments across Byzantine history: the Nika Revolt of 532, which culminated in the massacre of over 30,000 people within its walls; the triumph of Belisarius following the North African campaign; the deposition of Irene; and the execution of Alexius Murtzuphlus after the Fourth Crusade's sack of the city. Its physical proximity to imperial power made it a recurring stage for both the spectacle of authority and its violent collapse.
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What each episode says
Episode 4 (2 mentions)
The great chariot-racing stadium of Constantinople, connected directly to the imperial palaces by an imperial box. It contained an obelisk at each end of the track and the ancient Serpent Column made by the Greeks in 479 BC to commemorate their victory over the Persians.
“Of course, no Roman city would be complete without a hippodrome, with an imperial box”
“A broad avenue led from the hippodrome to the new forum paved entirely in marble and”
Episode 6 (1 mention)
The great arena in Constantinople where Zeno was presiding over the games when Verina sent a frantic messenger warning that the people, army, and senate were against him, causing him to panic and flee to Isauria.
“While the emperor was presiding over the games in the hippodrome, she sent a frantic messenger”
Episode 7 (8 mentions)
The great chariot-racing arena of Constantinople, seating tens of thousands, which served as the civic heart of the city and the forum for popular politics. The chariot-racing factions — Blues and Greens — competed here and shaped political life. The Nika Revolt began after a race here, and the Hippodrome became the site of the mob's mass gathering, the crowning of the rebel Hypatius, and ultimately the massacre of over 30,000 people when Belisarius's forces stormed it.
“With a few troops marching up and down the hippodrome, and some liberal spending, five”
“The mob angrily burned his house in frustration and returned to the Hippodrome.”
“he quickly devised a plan and the three commanders took separate routes to the hippodrome.”
Episode 8 (2 mentions)
The Hippodrome is the venue for the triumph of Belisarius, where the general rode in through ecstatic crowds, followed by Gelimer and his family, the most beautiful prisoners, and the vast spoils of the North African campaign. Gelimer prostrated himself before Justinian and Theodora here at the climax.
“ride on a chariot to the Hippodrome, followed by the most important and attractive of his prisoners,”
“into the Hippodrome, followed by Gelimer, his family, and the most beautiful of the prisoners.”
Episode 11 (2 mentions)
The great racetrack and public gathering place in Constantinople where Irene was declared deposed after her capture. Constantine VI had attended the races there before being ambushed by his mother's soldiers.
“She waited until Constantine had attended the races at the Hippodrome and ambushed”
“palace and declared her deposed in the Hippodrome.”
Episode 15 (1 mention)
The great public space of Constantinople where Alexius Murtzuphlus was captured and flung from the top of the Theodosian column after the Fourth Crusade sacked the city.
“of the Theodosian column in the Hippodrome,”
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