Nika Riots

The Nika Riots were a major uprising in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, that occurred in 532 AD. Triggered by political and social tensions, the riots began as a conflict between two rival chariot racing factions, the Blues and the Greens. They escalated into a rebellion against Emperor Justinian I, who faced criticism for heavy taxation and authoritarian rule. The rioters seized the city, destroying buildings and demanding reform. Justinian ultimately quashed the uprising through military force, resulting in significant casualties, but he also laid the groundwork for architectural achievements, including the Hagia Sophia.