What were the Nika riots in the Byzantine Empire?

The Nika riots were a massive and extremely violent rebellion that took place against Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople over the course of a week in 532 AD. Sparked during chariot races, the uprising led to the destruction of nearly half the city and the deaths of tens of thousands of people. The rioters proclaimed a new emperor, Hypatius, but the rebellion was ultimately crushed and its leaders executed.

What we know

• The Nika riots occurred against Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in Constantinople over a week in 532 AD. [2]
• The riots are regarded as the most violent in the city's history, resulting in nearly half of Constantinople being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of deaths. [2]
• During the uprising, the mob chose Byzantine noble Hypatius, nephew of the former Emperor Anastasius I, to be acclaimed as emperor. [3, 4]
• After the riots were suppressed, both Hypatius and his brother Pompeius were executed. [3, 4]

Where to go next

• whoWho was Emperor Justinian I?
• what caused itHow did chariot racing factions fuel Byzantine politics?
• what followedWhat physical destruction did Constantinople suffer during the 532 riots?
• how it workedHow were ancient and historical urban riots suppressed?
• the bigger pictureWhat was the broader history of urban revolts in the Byzantine Empire?
• an unexpected connectionHow do historic events like the Nika riots connect to modern riot control?The Nika riots are cited among historical examples of lethal military force used to violently suppress public uprisings and riots.

Sources

• [1]Nika Riots (Wikidata Q162665) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Nika riots · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Hypatius (consul 500) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Pompeius (consul 501) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Riot control · CC BY-SA 4.0