Hagia Sophia, the jewel of Istanbul... Isn't it interesting that this magnificent structure, which arouses admiration in everyone who sees it, was built at the end of the city's bloodiest days? Thousands of people lost their lives in Istanbul as a result of the great uprising that went down in history as the 'Nika Uprising'.
It had been five years since Emperor Justinian came to power, and with this revolt, he almost fell from his throne and left the city. However, these bloody days of Istanbul came to an unexpected end. Neither did Justinian abdicate, nor did the city remain in ruins. While the traces of the rebellion were erased, Istanbul was rebuilt. The most important name behind this was undoubtedly the emperor's wife Theodora. Justinian, who became emperor in 527, had also supported the Blues and benefited from their power until he came to the throne. When he came to power, he began to limit the authority of the Blues and deliberately reduce their influence on the people.
At the same time, he said that he took austerity measures and brought heavy taxes, causing him to confront the people, namely the Greens.
Justinian's more Western orientation and dream of rebuilding the Roman Empire caused him to neglect Constantinople, angering people from all walks of life. The escalating tension reached its peak in 532, and the great revolt began. While watching the horse races at the Justinian Hippodrome, a group of people protesting against him fired up the crowd. The rebels were almost blinded. There was only one word they said as they burned the city to the ground: Nika! So 'victory'. Thus, the uprising began, which burned Istanbul but caused it to rise from the ashes.
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