Page 20 - All About History - Issue 59-17

the Byzantine empiRe

Day in the life

Chariot raCer

Chariot raCers dreamed of glory

and suCCess in the hippodrome

Byzantine empire, 500-42

Chariot racing was the most popular spectator sport in the Byzantine
Empire. Races took place in Constantinople’s Hippodrome circus, which
could seat up to 100,000 people at once. Spectators from all classes,
including the emperor, enjoyed the games as a distraction from their
daily life while the racers themselves were normally slaves. The
racers were divided into four team, which inspired the same fierce
loyalty as modern football teams. In fact, fans of rival teams
often brawled in the aisles. The races were also a prime
opportunity for the emperor to present himself to the
public, something that otherwise rarely occurred.

pre-game show

As the racers arrived to prepare for a day of
competing, a wide array of entertainments were
put on for the spectators to enjoy like wrestling,
dancing, juggling, tightrope walks and wild beast
fights. The emperor and his consort would be
seated in their booth, called a Kathisma, which
was directly linked to the Great Palace.

represent the team

There were four factions that raced in the
Hippodrome — Blue, Green, Red and White. Racers
would wear tunics that sported the colour of their
team so that the crowd could easily identify them.
Out of the four, it was the Blue and Green teams
that were the most prominent, with the Red and
White teams seen as the secondary factions.
Better safe than sorry

Chariot races were extremely dangerous and
racers needed to wear protective gear.
Leather pads for the thighs and chest
were common along with leather
helmets. A sharp knife was also a
must in case the chariot’s reigns
became entangled and the racer
needed to cut himself free.

play fair

Lots were drawn to determine which
of the 12 starting gates, known as
A 16th-century engraving of the ruins of
carceres, the racers would go from. the Hippodrome, showing the remains of
the chariot racing circuit
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