Facts reviewed

Can the Guessarium name the Nika riots?

Think of Nika riots and answer yes or no. The Guessarium closes in, usually in under fifteen questions. In January 532 CE, rival chariot-racing factions in Constantinople united in the Nika riots, an insurrection against Emperor Justinian I that nearly toppled his rule. You'll see play statistics here once real games have been recorded.

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What happened at the Nika riots

The Nika riots erupted in Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, after tensions surrounding chariot races and heavy taxation boiled over. The Blue and Green factions, normally rivals at the Hippodrome, joined forces against Emperor Justinian I, chanting "Nika" (Conquer). Rioters set fires, freed prisoners, and sought to install a new emperor. For several days the city was engulfed in chaos, including the destruction by fire of the earlier Hagia Sophia church. Justinian considered fleeing but, encouraged by his wife Theodora, remained and ordered his generals Belisarius and Mundus to suppress the revolt. Troops trapped and killed an estimated 30,000 rioters in the Hippodrome, restoring imperial authority and allowing Justinian to later rebuild the city, including a grander Hagia Sophia.

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When did Nika riots happen?

Nika riots is dated to 532.

What was Nika riots?

The Nika riots erupted in Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, after tensions surrounding chariot races and heavy taxation boiled over. The Blue and Green factions, normally rivals at the Hippodrome, joined forces against Emperor Justinian I, chanting "Nika" (Conquer). Rioters set fires, freed prisoners, and sought to install a new emperor. For several days the city was engulfed in chaos, including the destruction by fire of the earlier Hagia Sophia church. Justinian considered fleeing but, encouraged by his wife Theodora, remained and ordered his generals Belisarius and Mundus to suppress the revolt. Troops trapped and killed an estimated 30,000 rioters in the Hippodrome, restoring imperial authority and allowing Justinian to later rebuild the city, including a grander Hagia Sophia.

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