According to Boing Boing, one of history's most consequential riots began not as a political uprising, but as a sports scandal. In January 532 AD, Constantinople's chariot racing fans—divided into the Blues and the Greens—were watching two convicted murderers face execution. But when the gallows failed and both criminals survived, the two factions set aside their rivalry and rioted against Emperor Justinian I. The Nika riots nearly toppled the Byzantine Empire, proving that shared outrage can unite even bitter enemies.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton