The Hippodrome of Constantinople: a short tour 

Yep. Exactly the right amount.

Would you happen to know what time the Hippodrome /SS closes for the day? Or does it always remain open? Is there police or security there after hours or otherwise during the day? Thanks!

Yes, you're right. I saw the wall 3 years ago.

I have, though not for almost a decade. I need to go back, now that I have this channel...

It looks like the base of the obelisk was used to support another structure, possibly the divider or wall that bisected the hippodrome that the chariots would race around.

@@bobfrog4836 I don't think they would have used and carved a flawed piece of stone.

Jordan has some fantastic antiquities!

@@bobfrog4836 yes but sadly not taken care of

Jaroslaw Kaczynski

The riots also started from there (the Hippodrome), were unnecessary and violent as f**k and burned big parts of the town including important buildings and statues that were part of Constantinople's cultural identity and part of the whole Graeko-Roman culture. The great Zeus of Phidias, once brought here like many marvels of the ancient world, was one of the victims of this rebellion (just to give an example). The destruction was so big that it is a main reason why later Constantinople did look way less "Roman" than it did from the beginning. And it directly threatened the rule of Justinian. 20.000 dead is a lot and unfortunately this number seems to be factual according to historians (some speak of even higher death tolls), but how could an emperor let this atrocious act happen without severe punishment? This whole story is so messed up and brutal... and unnecessary.😵 In the end it only strengthened Justinians rule, because it was also a way for him to kill off his opposition, who thought they had something to gain by participating and adding more fuel to the riot. Most of the 20.000 dead would've survived, if the riots had stopped early enough (Justinian promised judicial amnesia, but no one listened and they went on trying to get an usurpator on his throne. Then the slaughter started).

A wonderful observation indeed. I've thought the same all my life. There is something dark, dismal, and bleak about the Byzantines. I'm from Türkiye and everytime I see relics from the Byzantine times, this thought inevitably emerges in my head.

I've viewed many Byzantine items and have never thought this once before. I guess it has more to do with the personal opinions of the viewer than the item itself.

I'm from İstanbul, I find them strong and soothing, this is simply a matter of perspective.

their Mosaics and icons are bright and vibrant

@@Roman-Pregolin Bullshit.