Constantinopleadoptedthefollies，thoughnotthevirtues，ofancientRome；andthesamefactionswhichhadagitatedthecircus，ragedwithredoubledfuryinthehippodrome。UnderthereignofAnastasius，thispopularfrenzywasinflamedbyreligiouszeal；andthegreens，whohadtreacherouslyconcealedstonesanddaggersunderbasketsoffruit，massacred，atasolemnfestival，threethousandoftheirblueadversaries。^44Fromthiscapital，thepestilencewasdiffusedintotheprovincesandcitiesoftheEast，andthesportivedistinctionoftwocolorsproducedtwostrongandirreconcilablefactions，whichshookthefoundationsofafeeblegovernment。^45Thepopulardissensions，foundedonthemostseriousinterest，orholypretence，havescarcelyequalledtheobstinacyofthiswantondiscord，whichinvadedthepeaceoffamilies，dividedfriendsandbrothers，andtemptedthefemalesex，thoughseldomseeninthecircus，toespousetheinclinationsoftheirlovers，ortocontradictthewishesoftheirhusbands。Everylaw，eitherhumanordivine，wastrampledunderfoot，andaslongasthepartywassuccessful，itsdeludedfollowersappearedcarelessofprivatedistressorpubliccalamity。Thelicense，withoutthefreedom，ofdemocracy，wasrevivedatAntiochandConstantinople，andthesupportofafactionbecamenecessarytoeverycandidateforcivilorecclesiasticalhonors。AsecretattachmenttothefamilyorsectofAnastasiuswasimputedtothegreens；theblueswerezealouslydevotedtothecauseoforthodoxyandJustinian，^46andtheirgratefulpatronprotected，abovefiveyears，thedisordersofafaction，whoseseasonabletumultsoverawedthepalace，thesenate，andthecapitalsoftheEast。Insolentwithroyalfavor，thebluesaffectedtostriketerrorbyapeculiarandBarbaricdress，thelonghairoftheHuns，theirclosesleevesandamplegarments，aloftystep，andasonorousvoice。Inthedaytheyconcealedtheirtwo—edgedponiards，butinthenighttheyboldlyassembledinarms，andinnumerousbands，preparedforeveryactofviolenceandrapine。Theiradversariesofthegreenfaction，oreveninoffensivecitizens，werestrippedandoftenmurderedbythesenocturnalrobbers，anditbecamedangeroustowearanygoldbuttonsorgirdles，ortoappearatalatehourinthestreetsofapeacefulcapital。Adaringspirit，risingwithimpunity，proceededtoviolatethesafeguardofprivatehouses；andfirewasemployedtofacilitatetheattack，ortoconcealthecrimesofthesefactiousrioters。Noplacewassafeorsacredfromtheirdepredations；togratifyeitheravariceorrevenge，theyprofuselyspiltthebloodoftheinnocent；churchesandaltarswerepollutedbyatrociousmurders；anditwastheboastoftheassassins，thattheirdexteritycouldalwaysinflictamortalwoundwithasinglestrokeoftheirdagger。ThedissoluteyouthofConstantinopleadoptedtheblueliveryofdisorder；thelawsweresilent，andthebondsofsocietywererelaxed:creditorswerecompelledtoresigntheirobligations；judgestoreversetheirsentence；masterstoenfranchisetheirslaves；fatherstosupplytheextravaganceoftheirchildren；noblematronswereprostitutedtothelustoftheirservants；beautifulboysweretornfromthearmsoftheirparents；andwives，unlesstheypreferredavoluntarydeath，wereravishedinthepresenceoftheirhusbands。^47Thedespairofthegreens，whowerepersecutedbytheirenemies，anddesertedbythemagistrates，assumedtheprivilegeofdefence，perhapsofretaliation；butthosewhosurvivedthecombatweredraggedtoexecution，andtheunhappyfugitives，escapingtowoodsandcaverns，preyedwithoutmercyonthesocietyfromwhencetheywereexpelled。Thoseministersofjusticewhohadcouragetopunishthecrimes，andtobravetheresentment，oftheblues，becamethevictimsoftheirindiscreetzeal；apraefectofConstantinoplefledforrefugetotheholysepulchre，acountoftheEastwasignominiouslywhipped，andagovernorofCiliciawashanged，bytheorderofTheodora，onthetomboftwoassassinswhomhehadcondemnedforthemurderofhisgroom，andadaringattackuponhisownlife。
^48Anaspiringcandidatemaybetemptedtobuildhisgreatnessonthepublicconfusion，butitistheinterestaswellasdutyofasovereigntomaintaintheauthorityofthelaws。ThefirstedictofJustinian，whichwasoftenrepeated，andsometimesexecuted，announcedhisfirmresolutiontosupporttheinnocent，andtochastisetheguilty，ofeverydenominationandcolor。Yetthebalanceofjusticewasstillinclinedinfavorofthebluefaction，bythesecretaffection，thehabits，andthefearsoftheemperor；hisequity，afteranapparentstruggle，submitted，withoutreluctance，totheimplacablepassionsofTheodora，andtheempressneverforgot，orforgave，theinjuriesofthecomedian。AttheaccessionoftheyoungerJustin，theproclamationofequalandrigorousjusticeindirectlycondemnedthepartialityoftheformerreign。"Yeblues，Justinianisnomore!yegreens，heisstillalive!"^49
[Footnote44:Marcellin。inChron。p。47。Insteadofthevulgarwordvenataheusesthemoreexquisitetermsofcoeruleaandcoerealis。BaroniusA。D。501，No。4，5，6issatisfiedthattheblueswereorthodox；butTillemontisangryatthesupposition，andwillnotallowanymartyrsinaplayhouse，Hist。desEmp。tom。vi。p。554。]
[Footnote45:SeeProcopius，Persic。l。i。c。24。Indescribingthevicesofthefactionsandofthegovernment，thepublic，isnotmorefavorablethanthesecret，historian。Aleman。p。26
hasquotedafinepassagefromGregoryNazianzen，whichprovestheinveteracyoftheevil。]
[Footnote46:ThepartialityofJustinianforthebluesAnecdot。
c。7isattestedbyEvagrius，Hist。Eccles。l。iv。c。32，JohnMalala，tomiip。138，139，especiallyforAntioch；andTheophanes，p。142。]
[Footnote47:Awife，saysProcopius，whowasseizedandalmostravishedbyablue—coat，threwherselfintotheBosphorus。ThebishopsofthesecondSyriaAleman。p。26deploreasimilarsuicide，theguiltorgloryoffemalechastity，andnametheheroine。]
[Footnote48:ThedoubtfulcreditofProcopiusAnecdot。c。17
issupportedbythelesspartialEvagrius，whoconfirmsthefact，andspecifiesthenames。ThetragicfateofthepraefectofConstantinopleisrelatedbyJohnMalala，tom。ii。p。139。]
[Footnote49:SeeJohnMalala，tom。ii。p。147；yetheownsthatJustinianwasattachedtotheblues。TheseemingdiscordoftheemperorandTheodorais，perhaps，viewedwithtoomuchjealousyandrefinementbyProcopius，Anecdot。c。10。SeeAleman。Praefat。p。6。]
Asedition，whichalmostlaidConstantinopleinashes，wasexcitedbythemutualhatredandmomentaryreconciliationofthetwofactions。Inthefifthyearofhisreign，JustiniancelebratedthefestivaloftheidesofJanuary；thegameswereincessantlydisturbedbytheclamorousdiscontentofthegreens:
tillthetwenty—secondrace，theemperormaintainedhissilentgravity；atlength，yieldingtohisimpatience，hecondescendedtohold，inabruptsentences，andbythevoiceofacrier，themostsingulardialogue^50thateverpassedbetweenaprinceandhissubjects。Theirfirstcomplaintswererespectfulandmodest；
theyaccusedthesubordinateministersofoppression，andproclaimedtheirwishesforthelonglifeandvictoryoftheemperor。"Bepatientandattentive，yeinsolentrailers!"
exclaimedJustinian；"bemute，yeJews，Samaritans，andManichaeans!"Thegreensstillattemptedtoawakenhiscompassion。"Wearepoor，weareinnocent，weareinjured，wedarenotpassthroughthestreets:ageneralpersecutionisexercisedagainstournameandcolor。Letusdie，Oemperor!butletusdiebyyourcommand，andforyourservice!"Buttherepetitionofpartialandpassionateinvectivesdegraded，intheireyes，themajestyofthepurple；theyrenouncedallegiancetotheprincewhorefusedjusticetohispeople；lamentedthatthefatherofJustinianhadbeenborn；andbrandedhissonwiththeopprobriousnamesofahomicide，anass，andaperjuredtyrant。"Doyoudespiseyourlives?"criedtheindignantmonarch:thebluesrosewithfuryfromtheirseats；theirhostileclamorsthunderedinthehippodrome；andtheiradversaries，desertingtheunequalcontestspreadterroranddespairthroughthestreetsofConstantinople。Atthisdangerousmoment，sevennotoriousassassinsofbothfactions，whohadbeencondemnedbythepraefect，werecarriedroundthecity，andafterwardstransportedtotheplaceofexecutioninthesuburbofPera。
Fourwereimmediatelybeheaded；afifthwashanged:butwhenthesamepunishmentwasinflictedontheremainingtwo，theropebroke，theyfellalivetotheground，thepopulaceapplaudedtheirescape，andthemonksofSt。Conon，issuingfromtheneighboringconvent，conveyedtheminaboattothesanctuaryofthechurch。^51Asoneofthesecriminalswasoftheblue，andtheotherofthegreenlivery，thetwofactionswereequallyprovokedbythecrueltyoftheiroppressor，ortheingratitudeoftheirpatron；andashorttrucewasconcludedtilltheyhaddeliveredtheirprisonersandsatisfiedtheirrevenge。Thepalaceofthepraefect，whowithstoodtheseditioustorrent，wasinstantlyburnt，hisofficersandguardsweremassacred，theprisonswereforcedopen，andfreedomwasrestoredtothosewhocouldonlyuseitforthepublicdestruction。Amilitaryforce，whichhadbeendespatchedtotheaidofthecivilmagistrate，wasfiercelyencounteredbyanarmedmultitude，whosenumbersandboldnesscontinuallyincreased；andtheHeruli，thewildestBarbariansintheserviceoftheempire，overturnedthepriestsandtheirrelics，which，fromapiousmotive，hadbeenrashlyinterposedtoseparatethebloodyconflict。Thetumultwasexasperatedbythissacrilege，thepeoplefoughtwithenthusiasminthecauseofGod；thewomen，fromtheroofsandwindows，showeredstonesontheheadsofthesoldiers，whodartedfirebrandsagainstthehouses；andthevariousflames，whichhadbeenkindledbythehandsofcitizensandstrangers，spreadwithoutcontroloverthefaceofthecity。TheconflagrationinvolvedthecathedralofSt。Sophia，thebathsofZeuxippus，apartofthepalace，fromthefirstentrancetothealtarofMars，andthelongporticofromthepalacetotheforumofConstantine:alargehospital，withthesickpatients，wasconsumed；manychurchesandstatelyedificesweredestroyedandanimmensetreasureofgoldandsilverwaseithermeltedorlost。Fromsuchscenesofhorroranddistress，thewiseandwealthycitizensescapedovertheBosphorustotheAsiaticside；andduringfivedaysConstantinoplewasabandonedtothefactions，whosewatchword，Nika，vanquish!hasgivenanametothismemorablesedition。^52
[Footnote50:Thisdialogue，whichTheophaneshaspreserved，exhibitsthepopularlanguage，aswellasthemanners，ofConstantinople，inthevithcentury。TheirGreekismingledwithmanystrangeandbarbarouswords，forwhichDucangecannotalwaysfindameaningoretymology。]
[Footnote51:SeethischurchandmonasteryinDucange，C。P。
Christiana，l。ivp182。]
[Footnote52:ThehistoryoftheNikaseditionisextractedfromMarcellinus，inChron。，Procopius，Persic。l。i。c。26，JohnMalala，tom。ii。p。213—218，Chron。Paschal。，p。336—340，
Theophanes，Chronograph。p。154—158andZonaras，l。xiv。p。
61—63。]
Aslongasthefactionsweredivided，thetriumphantblues，anddespondinggreens，appearedtobeholdwiththesameindifferencethedisordersofthestate。Theyagreedtocensurethecorruptmanagementofjusticeandthefinance；andthetworesponsibleministers，theartfulTribonian，andtherapaciousJohnofCappadocia，wereloudlyarraignedastheauthorsofthepublicmisery。Thepeacefulmurmursofthepeoplewouldhavebeendisregarded:theywereheardwithrespectwhenthecitywasinflames；thequaestor，andthepraefect，wereinstantlyremoved，andtheirofficeswerefilledbytwosenatorsofblamelessintegrity。Afterthispopularconcession，Justinianproceededtothehippodrometoconfesshisownerrors，andtoaccepttherepentanceofhisgratefulsubjects；buttheydistrustedhisassurances，thoughsolemnlypronouncedinthepresenceoftheholyGospels；andtheemperor，alarmedbytheirdistrust，retreatedwithprecipitationtothestrongfortressofthepalace。Theobstinacyofthetumultwasnowimputedtoasecretandambitiousconspiracy，andasuspicionwasentertained，thattheinsurgents，moreespeciallythegreenfaction，hadbeensuppliedwitharmsandmoneybyHypatiusandPompey，twopatricians，whocouldneitherforgetwithhonor，norrememberwithsafety，thattheywerethenephewsoftheemperorAnastasius。Capriciouslytrusted，disgraced，andpardoned，bythejealouslevityofthemonarch，theyhadappearedasloyalservantsbeforethethrone；and，duringfivedaysofthetumult，theyweredetainedasimportanthostages；tillatlength，thefearsofJustinianprevailingoverhisprudence，heviewedthetwobrothersinthelightofspies，perhapsofassassins，andsternlycommandedthemtodepartfromthepalace。Afterafruitlessrepresentation，thatobediencemightleadtoinvoluntarytreason，theyretiredtotheirhouses，andinthemorningofthesixthday，Hypatiuswassurroundedandseizedbythepeople，who，regardlessofhisvirtuousresistance，andthetearsofhiswife，transportedtheirfavoritetotheforumofConstantine，andinsteadofadiadem，placedarichcollaronhishead。Iftheusurper，whoafterwardspleadedthemeritofhisdelay，hadcompliedwiththeadviceofhissenate，andurgedthefuryofthemultitude，theirfirstirresistibleeffortmighthaveoppressedorexpelledhistremblingcompetitor。TheByzantinepalaceenjoyedafreecommunicationwiththesea；vesselslayreadyatthegardenstairs；andasecretresolutionwasalreadyformed，toconveytheemperorwithhisfamilyandtreasurestoasaferetreat，atsomedistancefromthecapital。
Justinianwaslost，iftheprostitutewhomheraisedfromthetheatrehadnotrenouncedthetimidity，aswellasthevirtues，ofhersex。Inthemidstofacouncil，whereBelisariuswaspresent，Theodoraalonedisplayedthespiritofahero；andshealone，withoutapprehendinghisfuturehatred，couldsavetheemperorfromtheimminentdanger，andhisunworthyfears。"Ifflight，"saidtheconsortofJustinian，"weretheonlymeansofsafety，yetIshoulddisdaintofly。Deathistheconditionofourbirth；buttheywhohavereignedshouldneversurvivethelossofdignityanddominion。IimploreHeaven，thatImayneverbeseen，notaday，withoutmydiademandpurple；thatImaynolongerbeholdthelight，whenIceasetobesalutedwiththenameofqueen。Ifyouresolve，OCaesar!tofly，youhavetreasures；
beholdthesea，youhaveships；buttremblelestthedesireoflifeshouldexposeyoutowretchedexileandignominiousdeath。
Formyownpart，Iadheretothemaximofantiquity，thatthethroneisaglorioussepulchre。"Thefirmnessofawomanrestoredthecouragetodeliberateandact，andcouragesoondiscoverstheresourcesofthemostdesperatesituation。Itwasaneasyandadecisivemeasuretorevivetheanimosityofthefactions；theblueswereastonishedattheirownguiltandfolly，thatatriflinginjuryshouldprovokethemtoconspirewiththeirimplacableenemiesagainstagraciousandliberalbenefactor；
theyagainproclaimedthemajestyofJustinian；andthegreens，withtheirupstartemperor，wereleftaloneinthehippodrome。
Thefidelityoftheguardswasdoubtful；butthemilitaryforceofJustinianconsistedinthreethousandveterans，whohadbeentrainedtovaloranddisciplineinthePersianandIllyrianwars。
UnderthecommandofBelisariusandMundus，theysilentlymarchedintwodivisionsfromthepalace，forcedtheirobscurewaythroughnarrowpassages，expiringflames，andfallingedifices，andburstopenatthesamemomentthetwooppositegatesofthehippodrome。Inthisnarrowspace，thedisorderlyandaffrightedcrowdwasincapableofresistingoneithersideafirmandregularattack；thebluessignalizedthefuryoftheirrepentance；anditiscomputed，thatabovethirtythousandpersonswereslaininthemercilessandpromiscuouscarnageoftheday。Hypatiuswasdraggedfromhisthrone，andconducted，withhisbrotherPompey，tothefeetoftheemperor:theyimploredhisclemency；buttheircrimewasmanifest，theirinnocenceuncertain，andJustinianhadbeentoomuchterrifiedtoforgive。ThenextmorningthetwonephewsofAnastasius，witheighteenillustriousaccomplices，ofpatricianorconsularrank，wereprivatelyexecutedbythesoldiers；theirbodieswerethrownintothesea，theirpalacesrazed，andtheirfortunesconfiscated。Thehippodromeitselfwascondemned，duringseveralyears，toamournfulsilence:withtherestorationofthegames，thesamedisordersrevived；andtheblueandgreenfactionscontinuedtoafflictthereignofJustinian，andtodisturbthetranquilityoftheEasternempire。^53
[Footnote53:Marcellinussaysingeneralterms，innumerispopulisincircotrucidatis。Procopiusnumbers30，000victims:
andthe35，000ofTheophanesareswelledto40，000bythemorerecentZonaras。Suchistheusualprogressofexaggeration。]
III。Thatempire，afterRomewasbarbarous，stillembracedthenationswhomshehadconqueredbeyondtheAdriatic，andasfarasthefrontiersofAethiopiaandPersia。Justinianreignedoversixty—fourprovinces，andninehundredandthirty—fivecities；^54hisdominionswereblessedbynaturewiththeadvantagesofsoil，situation，andclimate:andtheimprovementsofhumanarthadbeenperpetuallydiffusedalongthecoastoftheMediterraneanandthebanksoftheNilefromancientTroytotheEgyptianThebes。Abraham^55hadbeenrelievedbythewell—knownplentyofEgypt；thesamecountry，asmallandpopuloustract，wasstillcapableofexporting，eachyear，twohundredandsixtythousandquartersofwheatfortheuseofConstantinople；^56andthecapitalofJustinianwassuppliedwiththemanufacturesofSidon，fifteencenturiesaftertheyhadbeencelebratedinthepoemsofHomer。^57Theannualpowersofvegetation，insteadofbeingexhaustedbytwothousandharvests，wererenewedandinvigoratedbyskilfulhusbandry，richmanure，andseasonablerepose。Thebreedofdomesticanimalswasinfinitelymultiplied。
Plantations，buildings，andtheinstrumentsoflaborandluxury，whicharemoredurablethanthetermofhumanlife，wereaccumulatedbythecareofsuccessivegenerations。Traditionpreserved，andexperiencesimplified，thehumblepracticeofthearts:societywasenrichedbythedivisionoflaborandthefacilityofexchange；andeveryRomanwaslodged，clothed，andsubsisted，bytheindustryofathousandhands。Theinventionoftheloomanddistaffhasbeenpiouslyascribedtothegods。Ineveryage，avarietyofanimalandvegetableproductions，hair，skins，wool，flax，cotton，andatlengthsilk，havebeenskilfullymanufacturedtohideoradornthehumanbody；theywerestainedwithaninfusionofpermanentcolors；andthepencilwassuccessfullyemployedtoimprovethelaborsoftheloom。Inthechoiceofthosecolors^58whichimitatethebeautiesofnature，thefreedomoftasteandfashionwasindulged；butthedeeppurple^59whichthePhoeniciansextractedfromashell—fish，wasrestrainedtothesacredpersonandpalaceoftheemperor；andthepenaltiesoftreasonweredenouncedagainsttheambitioussubjectswhodaredtousurptheprerogativeofthethrone。^60
[Footnote54:Hierocles，acontemporaryofJustinian，composedhisItineraria，p。631，reviewoftheeasternprovincesandcities，beforetheyear535，Wesseling，inPraefat。andNot。adp。623，&c。]
[Footnote55:SeetheBookofGenesisxii。10andtheadministrationofJoseph。TheannalsoftheGreeksandHebrewsagreeintheearlyartsandplentyofEgypt:butthisantiquitysupposesalongseriesofimprovement；andWarburton，whoisalmoststifledbytheHebrewcallsaloudfortheSamaritan，Chronology，DivineLegation，vol。iii。p。29，&c。
Note:TherecentextraordinarydiscoveriesinEgyptianantiquitiesstronglyconfirmthehighnotionoftheearlyEgyptiancivilization，andimperativelydemandalongerperiodfortheirdevelopment。AstothecommonHebrewchronology，asfarassuchasubjectiscapableofdemonstration，itappearstometohavebeenframed，withaparticularview，bytheJewsofTiberias。ItwasnotthechronologyoftheSamaritans，notthatoftheLXX。，notthatofJosephus，notthatofSt。Paul。—M。]
[Footnote56:EightmillionsofRomanmodii，besidesacontributionof80，000aureifortheexpensesofwater—carriage，fromwhichthesubjectwasgraciouslyexcused。Seethe13thEdictofJustinian:thenumbersarecheckedandverifiedbytheagreementoftheGreekandLatintexts。]
[Footnote57:Homer'sIliad，vi。289。Theseveils，weretheworkoftheSidonianwomen。ButthispassageismorehonorabletothemanufacturesthantothenavigationofPhoenicia，fromwhencetheyhadbeenimportedtoTroyinPhrygianbottoms。]
[Footnote58:SeeinOviddeArteAmandi，iii。269，&c。apoeticallistoftwelvecolorsborrowedfromflowers，theelements，&c。Butitisalmostimpossibletodiscriminatebywordsalltheniceandvariousshadesbothofartandnature。]
[Footnote59:Bythediscoveryofcochineal，&c。，wefarsurpassthecolorsofantiquity。Theirroyalpurplehadastrongsmell，andadarkcastasdeepasbull'sblood—obscuritasrubens，saysCassiodorus，Var。1，2，nigredosaguinea。ThepresidentGoguetOriginedesLoixetdesArts，partii。l。ii。c。2，p。
184—215willamuseandsatisfythereader。Idoubtwhetherhisbook，especiallyinEngland，isaswellknownasitdeservestobe。]
[Footnote60:Historicalproofsofthisjealousyhavebeenoccasionallyintroduced，andmanymoremighthavebeenadded；butthearbitraryactsofdespotismwerejustifiedbythesoberandgeneraldeclarationsoflaw，CodexTheodosian。l。x。tit。21，leg。3。CodexJustinian。l。xi。tit。8，leg。5。Aningloriouspermission，andnecessaryrestriction，wasappliedtothemince，thefemaledancers，Cod。Theodos。l。xv。tit。7，leg。11。]
ChapterXL:ReignOfJustinian。