Justinian's Great Conspiracy | Nika Riots Plot Explained

Justinian, an emperor famed for grandiose achievements—from the codification of Roman law to the rebuilding of Hagia Sophia—was undeniably a skillful, calculating ruler. Which makes the central question even sharper: how did he almost lose his throne to rebels in Constantinople during the Nika Riots of 532? How could factional fury from the Blues and Greens spiral so violently out of control under his nose? And is it possible the chaos wasn’t just accidental—but orchestrated? In this video, we follow the spark in the Hippodrome, the city in flames, and the razor-edge decisions inside the palace: Theodora’s defiant stand, Belisarius and Mundus striking back, and the brutal purge that followed. We weigh the evidence, motives, and sources—tax crackdowns, elite rivalries, and palace intrigue—to probe the theory that Justinian let the fire burn to consolidate power. Was it conspiracy or catastrophe? Join us as we unravel the plotlines behind the Nika revolt, the fall and rebirth of Hagia Sophia, and the day the Byzantine Empire nearly collapsed—and was remade. Watch now to decide where the truth lies.

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Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: http://www.epidemicsound.com

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