Χρονολόγηση January 532. Γεωγραφικός Εντοπισμός IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ. 1. Introduction

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1 Περίληψη : On January 532, a revolt against Justinian I broke out at Constantinople. The demoi of the Blues and the Greens, rose up united against the authoritarian rule of the emperor and the Byzantine capital experienced one of the most violent turbulences in its history. The complex social and religious contradictions of the Byzantine society at the time came to the surface. The revolt, which was named after the chant «Nika» (mean. «win»), lasted for eight days and almost overthrew Justinian I from the throne. Nevertheless, the revolt was violently suppressed and had many victims. The demoi, having showed their greatest strength by this riot, gradually lost their power and political signifiacance after that. Χρονολόγηση January 532 Γεωγραφικός Εντοπισμός Constantinople 1. Introduction The demoi, originally circus factions that by the mid 5 th century had become an important political factor, eventually grew into an obstacle of the autoriatarian rule of the emperors. That way, the demoi of Constantinople, particularly the more powerful ones of the Blues and the Greens, were opposed to the political program of Justinian I ( ), who wanted the restriction of their activity and the consolidation of a more centralised imperial power. Such politics triggered the most severe internal crisis at Byzantium in the 6 th century. Justinian I exerted an inconsistent policy towards the circus factions. While he had pursued the support of the Blues to strengthen his position, already in the beginning of his reign he had chenged his attitude towards them; the Blues as well as the Greens had been subjected to repressive measures. The accumulated discontent of the Greens, who cosidered themselves repeatedly abused in favour of the Blues, as well as the reaction of the Blues who were unhappy for falling out of imperial favour made it possible for the two opponent factions to join forces against the emperor. At the same time, the indignation of the populace for the economic reforms and the tax collecting policies of John of Cappadocia grew stronger; such indignation manifested itself through the demoi, thus giving their activity a explicit political undertone. 1 The revolt of the demoi, which was called Nika and which lasted for only eight days, took place on January 532. This revolt left deep scars on the conscience of its contemporaries and has been described in the historical works of a series of writers. Thanks to the preserved sources, we are in the position to represent the riot almost entirely, day by day, following the track of the violent events. 2. A brief history of the riot 2.1. Sunday, 11 January 532 It was a day of celebration and chariot races were organized, at which Justinian himself was present along with his escort. In the part of the hippodrome where the Greens stood, anxiety and disorder was dominating. In the surviving historical sources, an interesting interchenge between the Greens and Justinian is recorded. 2 The Greens complained to Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 1/9

2 the emperor for the pressures and abuse to which they were exposed. The Blues, usually instigated by Justinian against the Greens, retorted provokingly. The Greens reminded the emperor that some murderers in the ranks of the Blues remained unpunished. Justinian, who would not tolerate any contradiction, insulted the Greens by calling them Jews, Manichaeans and Samaritans, which was considered particularly heavy insults. 3 The Greens retorted accusing the emperor as an adherent of Nestorianism, and the Blues as being inclined to idolatry. The turbulence at the hippodrome grew bigger as the Greens cried out loud to Justinian: «It would have been better if Sabbatios had never been born because he gave birth to a murderer». 4 At the same time the Blues denied having any part in the murders which the Greens were accusing them of and were trying to ease the already quite raised spirits. The angry Justinian threatened the Greens with exemplary punishment. These, however, left the hippodrome shouting more insults. Justinian as retired to the Palace, but not before ordering the prefect of the city to arrest the rioters. The prefect Eudaimon did as ordered: he arrested some of the leaders of the Greens, but also some Blues, seven persons in total. This way Justinian wanted all of them to bear in mind that he was above factions and that he is equally severe and fare towards both factions. But this action prooved absolutely wrong, as the mass arrests actually unified the demoi. Four of the arrested persons were condemned to decapitation, whereas the other three were to be hanged. But first they were drawn along the streets, for the spectacle to cause fear to the rest, and next were carried on the other side of the Golden Horn. However, during the execution those who were to be hanged, something unusual happened. The gallows broke and two of the convicted persons one of the Greens and one of the Blues fell on the ground. The same happened when they were sent for the second time on the gallows. The gathered mob, agitated and clearly upset because of the prefect s cruelty, took this unusual event as a sign of the Divine Providence. Those who were present screamed above the general confusion: «Take them to the church!», 5 hoping to save the lives of the two condemned if they took them in a sanctuary. Hearing the screams from the street, the monks of St. Konon monastery helped both the condemned to escape from their scaffold and hid them inside the church of Saint Laurence in the Pulcheriana quarter. However, it was not over. The prefect of Constantinople Eudaimon sent soldiers on orders to do anything in their power to bring these offenders to justice. The monks and the gathered populace resisted the soldiers. The prefect did not want to grant the convicted a reprieve this was the last drop that triggered one of the most violent events in the long history of Constantinople Monday, 12 January 532 The Blues and the Greens, who insisted on the absolution of their two members, joined forces. The chant Nika, about which the Byzantine chronographer John Malalas wrote, was then invented. 6 It was adopted to keep any spies from infiltrating the ranks of the united Blues and Greens. The situation in the turbulent capital on Bosporos would not ease. On the contrary, the inhabitants of Constantinople were bound to experience a great shock Tuesday, 13 January 532 Chariot races were organized again in the hippodrome. Both sides were asking from Justinian, who was sitting on his kathisma (imperial box), amnesty for their two members. However, the emperor did not yield to their requests. The following events showed that Justinian did not clearly estimate what would follow. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 2/9

3 The circus factions, even more angry because of the emperor s denial, openly announced their alliance. Unusual clamours were heard at the hippodrome: Long live the philanthropists Greens and Blues. In the evening out on the streets of Constantinople a total chaos prevailed. Huge mobs poured out from the hippodrome to the city streets and started setting houses on fire. It should be mentioned here that, according to some calculations, the capital had about half a million people at the time. Not even the houses of such high dignitaries as the praetorian prefect and the prefect of the city Eudaimon were spared, the latter having particularly enraged the rioters. The angered rioters assaulted the prisons and freed the prisoners. Any soldiers that happened to be on their way and resisted them were beaten on the spot. In the hot atmosphere of anger and retaliations, the masses, that were continuously growing bigger, set on fire the archive where the lists of the tax payers were kept. The revolt had gotten rather out of control, as implied by the set on fire of the houses of some notable and rich members of the Blues and the Greens too. Soon the tongues of fire consumed the building of the Senate, the Chalke gate of the imperial palace, the church of Hagia Sophia and the nearby church of Hagia Eirene. The blows of the wind were starting to spread the fire, and the contemporary historian Procopios briefly states: «the city was given to the fire, as if taken by the enemy». 7 Another source, John Lydos, reports that Constantinople was reduced to a pile of ruins over which the smell of burning was spread. 8 Part of the inhabitants of the capital, abhorred and terrified by the sudden events and the brutality that could be seen on the streets, fled to the shores of Bosporos on the Asia Minor side Wednesday, 14 January 532 The emperor Justinian, seeing that he was losing control, started negotiations with the leaders of the Blues and the Greens. The leaders of the factions came forth with quite radical requests. They were explicitly asking the removal of some high ranking dignitaries from their offices. Thus the Greens were asking the irrevocable replacement of John of Cappadocia, who was the main responsible for the oppressive economic policy and one of the most important collaborators of the emperor. On the other hand, the Blues insisted on the replacement of Tribonian, leading jurist of the Empire, and of the prefect Eudaimon. In both cases, any affinities the two demoi made no difference. Justinian, who understood that the danger was growing bigger, satisfied these demends and replaced the three officers. He put Phocas in John of Cappadocia s place, Basilides in Tribonian s place and the senator Tryphon in in Eudaimon s place. The historian Procopios praises Phocas and Basilides and insists on the fact that they were honourable men. However, not even these changes were able to calm down the furious crowd. Emperor Justinian, who had already made significant concessions, had yet more difficult moments ahead of him. The anxious emperor wanted to suppress violently the revolt, which had turned out to an uncontrollable destructive force. But he had not enough soldiers on his side, only some three thousand Goth mercenaries. He could not rely on the rest of his army either, who were in a state of cautious waiting and at the crucial moment they could easily side with the rioters. However Justinian, nervous and impatient, ordered Belisarios to crush the rioters with the help of his few mercenaries. Hard clashes took place, during which both sides had losses. The priests of the capital, filled with horror for the ongoing slaughter in the streets of Constantinople, tried to prevent the bloodshed. For that reason they carried books and icons between the two colliding parts. However, the hard hearted mercenaries killed in the whirl of the battle not only rioters but priests as well. The death of a number of priests caused the anger of the populace of the capital and infuriated the rioters even more, resulting in even more violent street fights. In the sources it is mentioned that even women took part in the clashes, Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 3/9

4 throwing stones to the Goths from the surrounding windows. As reprisals, the barbarians set many houses on fire, but they were finally defeated and forced to flee to the imperial palace Thursday, 15 January 532 A new resurgence of the revolt took place. The crowd called for a new emperor. At that crucial moment the senatorial aristocracy sought to take advantage of people s displeasure in order to re establish the old, legitimate dynasty of the late emperor Anastasios I. They wanted to see Hypatios on the Byzantine throne, who was the nephew of Anastasios I and the favorite of the Blues; and who, along with his brother Pompeios, as well as many more senators, was confined to the imperial palace. Therefore, the main part of the rioters turned to the third brother, the dignitary Probos, and calling his name proceeded to his house. But Probos hid himself because he feared such a possibility and all that it could entail. Reprisals quickly followed the irritated mob burnt down his house Friday, 16 January 532- Saturday, 17 January 532 The turbulence on the streets continued and the fires spread towards the north part of Constantinople, seizing new quarters of the capital and destroying many more buildings. Justinian s followers were massively murdered. On Saturday 17, new clashes took place along with victoriea of the rioteers and new fires. At night, Justinian terrified and suspectful of anybody inside the palace as a potential murderer, ordered the senators to abandon the imperial palace. The brothers Hypatios and Pompeios were pretending they wanted to stay there out of loyalty to the emperor, but they were sent away by him. That proved to be a mistake, providing the rioters with leaders Sunday, 18 January 532 Justinian made a desperate attempt for further negotiations. He reached to the point of reappearing on his kathisma (imperial box) at the hippodrome and to swear, in front of the assembled people, peace with the rioters and full absolution with his hand on the Gospel. The Chronicon Paschale contains the full text of the emperor s oath: «I swear upon the Holy Gospel and I forgive all of your violations. I will not put in prison anyone of you in order to achieve peace. You are responsible in no way for the events that took place; I, myself, am the reason for all these. It is my fault that I did not consent to hear your requests expressed at the hippodrome». 9 In spite of the passionate and inspirational speech, the decisive turn that the emperor hoped for did not come. Simply nobody believed Justinian anymore. The populace of Constantinople actually howled to him that he was a liar an a perjurer. 10 They also insulted empress Theodora. Scared, Justinian fled to the palace. On the other side, the rioters had any intension to crown Hypatios. Rumours were spread that Justinian along with Theodora had escaped to Thrace taking with them the imperial fiscus. Obviously, all the confusion prevailing those days in Constantinople created a favourable atmosphere for such rumors. A rioters procession headed to Hypatios house and, ignoring the objections and the tears of his wife Maria, they Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 4/9

5 offered him the crown. The nephew of the former emperor Anastasios I was crowned in Constantine s forum. First, according to the old traditions, they raised him upon a shield, and then they put on his head a golden wreath instead of the imperial diadem. As the customs imposed, they dressed the new emperor in purple. The excited mob led the new emperor to the hippodrome and, with enthusiastic shouts, put him on the kathisma, on the very box where until yesterday Justinian was sitting. Thereafter the rioters celebrated their big success. Now the decisive, crucial moment of the whole revolt fell upon and unavoidably the question was raised about what would come next. Attack against the imperial palace and try to inflict the decisive blow upon the emperor? For everything was pointing to no rescue for Justinian at all. However, some of the senators realized that it was impossible to control such popular wrath and that things could lead to a course of events hard to predict. For that reason some senators, most notably Origen, were against the attack to the palace. Some thought that a little patience was in order, and that Justinian would leave by himself. Reluctance prevailed, which proved to be fatal. A group of Greens, about two hundred young men, 11 armed and ready for battle, launched an attack to the palace, which led to the peak of the crisis. Justinian on the other side, lost his nerve and was preparing to run away. Equipped ships were waiting in the harbor of Constantinople, ready to sail any time. The ships were already loaded with the imperial fiscus and with various precious objects from the palace. It seemed that this was actually the end for Justinian. But then, it was time for the amazing self control and nerve of the empress Theodora to come to the surface. In a council in which the emperor s most loyal dignitaries took part, obviously scared and worried because of the enraged and dangerously menacing mob at the gate, Justinian s wife came forth audaciously. Among the general faintheartedness, total despair and fear that was hard to conceal, Theodora resolutely pointed out that death was preferable to the loss imperial power. Her words entered many manuals of Byzantine history: power is a fine shroud. 12 It was then that the eunuch Narses cunning diplomacy manifested itself; he bribed some of the leaders of the riot and succeed in causing a fray among the rioters. On the other side, Justinian gave order to Belisarios to suppress the revolt. The great general with barbarian mercenaries invaded the hippodrome and killed tens of thousands of men. First, Belisarios soldiers with arrows caused a real panic among the numerous rioters who were crowded in a relatively small area. According to an estimation, that can be considered realistic, thirty five thousand men were murdered that day. A subsequent writer, the chronographer John Zonaras writes: «The mob was ripped like grass». 13 It was a slaughter that preserved Justinian Iʹs reign. Hypatios and his brother Pompeios were taken before the emperor. Hypatios tried to defend himself by repeating persistently that he was crowned against his will and by the use of force, and that in fact he stayed loyal to the emperor. Justinian did not believe him and harshly attacked him. Obvious the emperor had regained control of the situation. That meant that for Hypatios there was no rescue Monday, 19 January 532 At dawn, Hypatios and Pompeios were executed, and their bodies were thrown into the sea. Harsh reprisals followed: arrests, persecutions and punishments. At Constantinople dark days returned, fear prevailed and the capital was Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 5/9

6 desolated. Eighteen notab;e senators, among them Hypatios and Pompeios younger brother Probos, were exiled and their fortune was confiscated. John of Cappadocia and Tribonian returned to their positions. Chariot races on the hippodrome were thereafter and for some years forbidden. 3. Aftermath In the relief that followed after this turbulence, Justinian wanted the unpleasant events to be forgotten as fast as possible and one of his first actions was the rebuilding of the renowned church of Hagia Sophia that had been destroyed by fire during the riot. Justinian ordered a new church to be erected and for that reason he hired two illustrious architects, Isidore from Miletos and Anthemios of Tralles. On December 26, 537 the consecration of the new church took place. Justinian I organized a grandiose ceremony, which acquired the character of a mass celebration, were roasted 1000 oxen, 6000 sheep, 600 dears, 1000 pigs and around domestic and wild birds for the shake of the city populace so to say. It was then that Justinian I, proud of himself, allegedly pronounced: Thank you God for making me worth of executing this work. Solomon, I have surpassed you! Browning, R., «Ο αιώνας του Ιουστινιανού», Ιστορία του Ελληνικού Έθνους Ζ: Πρωτοβυζαντινοί Χρόνοι (Αθήνα 1978), p. 167; Evans, J.A.S., The Age of Justinian. The circumstantces of imperial power (London 1996), p Theophanis Chronographia, ed. C. de Boor (Leipzig 1883), pp ; Chronicon Paschale I, ed. L. Dindorf (CSHB, Bonn 1832), p Evans, J.A.S., The Age of Justinian. The Circumstantces of Imperial Power (London 1996), p «εἴ θοις Σαββάτης μὴ ἐ γεννήθη, ἵ να μὴ ἔ σχεν υἱ ὸν φονέα», see Theophanis Chronographia, ed. C. de Boor (Leipzig 1883), p Theophanis Chronographia, ed. C. de Boor (Leipzig 1883), p Ioannis Malalae Chronographia, ed. L. Dindorf (CSHB, Bonn 1831), p «τῇ πόλει πῦ ρ ἐ πεφέρετο, ὡς δὴ ὑ πὸ πολεμίοις γεγενημένῃ», Procopii Caesariensis opera omnia 1, ed. J. Haury P. Wirth (Leipzig 1962), pp Ioannis Lydi De magistratibus populi Romani libri tres, ed. R. Wünsch (Leipzig 1903), p Chronicon paschale, ed. L. Dindorf (CSHB, Bonn 1832), pp «ἐ πιορκεῖ ς, σγαύδαρι», Chronicon paschale, ed. L. Dindorf (CSHB, Bonn 1832), pp On the Young Greens group, see Patlagean, E., Povertà ed emarginazione in Bisanzio IV-VII secolo (Roma Bari 1986), pp «ὡς καλὸν ἐ ντάφιον ἡ βασιλεία ἐ στί», Procopii Caesariensis opera omnia I, ed. J. Haury, corr. P. Wirth (Leipzig 1962), p «τὰ πλήθη ὡς χόρτον ἄνευ φειδοῦ ς ἐ ξεθέριζον», Ioannis Zonarae epitomae historiarum libri XVIII 3, ed. Th. Büttner-Wobst (CSHB, Bonn 1897), p Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 6/9

7 14. Solomon ( B.C.), son of David, was a Hebrew king who erected a series of grandiose buildings, among which the Temple of Solomon was particularly famous. Βιβλιογραφία : Θεοφάνης, Χρονογραφία, de Boor, C. (ed.), Theophanis Chronographia, Leipzig 1883 Cameron A., Circus Factions. Blues and Greens at Rome and Byzantium, Oxford 1976 Ιωάννης Ζωναράς, Επιτομή Ιστοριών, Büttner-Wobst, T. (ed.), Ioannis Zonarae epitomae historiarum libri XVIII 1-3, Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn Γεώργιος Κεδρηνός, Σύνοψις Ιστοριών, Bekker, Ι. (ed.), Georgius Cedrenus Ioannis Scylitzae ope, Ι-ΙΙ, Corpus scriptorum historiae Byzantinae, Bonn Ι: 1838 ΙΙ: 1939 Ιωάννης Μαλάλας, Χρονογραφία, Dindorf, L. (ed.), Ioannis Malalae Chronographia, Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1831 Πασχάλιον Χρονικόν, Dindorf, L. (ed.), Chronicon Paschale I, Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1832 Ιωάννης Λυδός, Περί αρχών, Bandy, A.C. (ed.), Ioannes Lydus. On powers or the magistracies of the Roman state, Philadelphia 1983 Bury J.B., "The Nika Riot", Journal of Hellenic Studies, 17, 1897, Cront G., "Les Dèmes et les partis politiques dans l'empire byzantin aux Ve-VIIe siècles", Revue des Etudes Sud-Est Européennes, 7, 1969, Prinzing G., "Zu den Wohnvierteln der Grünen und Blauen in Konstantinopel", Beck, H.-G. (ed.), Studien zur Frühgeschichte Konstantinopels, München 1973, Miscellanea Byzantina Monacensia 14, Evans J.A.S., The Age of Justinian. The Circumstances to Imperial Power, London 1996 Manojlović G., "Le peuple du Constantinople de 400 à 800 après J. C.", Byzantion, 11, 1936, Procopii Caesariensis opera omnia, I-IV, Haury, J. (ed.), Wirth, P. (corr.), Lipsiae Чекалова А.А., Константинополь в VI веке. Восстание Ника в 532 году, Москва 1986 Чекалова А.А., "К вопросу о димах ранней Византии", Византийские очерки, Москва 1982, Чекалова А.А., "Восстание Ника и социально-политическая борьба в Константинополе в конце V первой половине VI в.", Византийские очерки, Москва 1977, Успенский Ф.И., "Партии цирка и димы в Константинополе", Византийский временник, 1, 1894, 1-16 Пигулевская Η. В., "К вопросу о борьбе демов в ранней Византии", Византийский временник, V (30), 1952, Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 7/9

8 Дьяконов А. П., "Византийские димы и фракции в V - VІІ вв.", Византийский сборник, 1945, Москва - Ленинград 1945, Винкельман Ф., "О роли народных масс в ранней Византии (в порядке дискуссии)", Византийский временник, 1979, Ευάγριος, Εκκλησιαστική Ιστορία, Bidez, J., Parmentier, L. (ed.), The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius with the Scholia, London 1898, repr. Amsterdam 1964 Ζαχαρίας Σχολαστικός, Εκκλησιαστική Ιστορία, Brooks, E.W. (ed.), Historia ecclesiastica Zachariae Rhetori vulgo adscripta, Louvain Karlin-Hayter P., "Les Άκτα διά Καλαπόδιον", Byzantion, 43, 1974, Evans J.A.S., "The Nika Rebellion and the Empress Theodora", Byzantion, 54, 1984, Чекалова А.А., "Народ и сенаторская оппозиция в восстании Ника", Византийский временник, 32, 1971, Kaegi W.E., "Nika revolt", The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium 2, New York Oxford 1991, 1473 Δικτυογραφία : The Nika Revolt The Hagia Sophia Η στάση του Νίκα. Εξέγερση και σφαγή Γλωσσάριo : praefectus urbi (prefect of the city) (later referred to as the eparch of the city) Αdministrator and virtual governor of Constantinople in the Early/Middle Byzantine Era. He was responsible for the surveillance and the harmonius life of the Capital. One of his responsibilities was to control the commercial and manufacturing activities of Constantinople. After 1204, however, the office began to diminish, while from the 14th century, his responsibilities were assumed by two officers, the so-called kephalatikeuontai of the capital. praetorian prefect (praefectus praetorio) Commander of the emperor's bodyguard under the principate. During the regne of Constantine I the praetorian prefect becomes a dignitary responsible for the administrative unit called the prefecture, which was subdivided into dioceses. In 400 A.D. there were four such praetorian prefectures, of Oriens, of Illyricum, of Illyricum, Italia and Africa and of Gallia. The praetorian prefects were second only to the emperor. The praetorian prefect of Oriens was the mightiest among prefects. His office is for the last time mentioned in 680. Πηγές De Boor, C. (ed.), Theophanis Chronographia (Leipzig 1883). Büttner Wobst, T. (ed.), Ioannis Zonarae epitomae historiarum libri XVIII 3 (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1897). George Kedrenos, Synopsis Historiarum, Bekker, Ι. (ed.), Georgius Cedrenus Ioannis Scylitzae ope, Ι ΙΙ (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn Ι: 1838 ΙΙ: 1939). Dindorf, L. (ed.), Ioannis Malalae Chronographia (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1831). Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 8/9

9 Dindorf, L. (ed.), Chronicon Paschale I (Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn 1832). Wünsch, R. (ed.), Ioannis Lydi De magistratibus populi Romani libri tres (Leipzig 1903). Prokopios, On the Wars 1, Haury, J. P. Wirth, P. (ed.), Procopii Caesariensis opera omnia 1 (Leipzig 1962). Bidez, J. Parmentier, L. (ed.), The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius with the Scholia (London 1898, re print Amsterdam 1964). Brooks, E.W. (ed.), Historia ecclesiastica Zachariae Rhetori vulgo adscripta (Louvain ). Παραθέματα The slaughter at the hippodrome and the end of the brothers Hypatios and Pompeios καὶ ἐξελθόντες μετὰ τῶν ἰδίων αὐτῶν ἀνθρώπων ὥρμησαν εἰς τὸ Ἱππικόν, ὁ μὲν Ναρσῆς διὰ τῶν θυρῶν, ὁ δὲ υἱὸς Μούνδου διὰ τῆς σφενδόνης, καὶ ἄλλοι διὰ τοῦ μονοπόρτου τοῦ δεσποτικοῦ καθίσματος εἰς τὸ πέλμα, ἕτεροι δὲ διὰ τῶν Ἀντιόχου καὶ τῆς λεγομένης Νεκρᾶς πόρτας. καὶ ἤρξαντο κόπτειν τοὺς δήμους ὡς ἔτυχεν, ὥστε μηδένα τῶν πολιτῶν ἢ ξένων τῶν εὑρεθέντων ἐν τῷ Ἱππικῷ περισωθῆναι, ἐν οἷς ἐσφάγη καὶ Ἀντίπατρος ὁ βίνδιξ Ἀντιοχείας τῆς Θεουπόλεως. εὐθέως δὲ οἱ περὶ τὸν στρατηλάτην Βηλισάριν ἀνοίξαντες τὰς θύρας ἐπὶ τὸ δεσποτικὸν κάθισμα ὁρμήσαντες μετὰ σπαθαρίων, καὶ συλλαβόμενοι τὸν Ὑπάτιον μετὰ Πομπηίου τοῦ πατρικίου τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐξαδέλφου εἰσήγαγον τῷ βασιλεῖ Ἰουστινιανῷ. οἵτινες εἰσενεχθέντες προσέπεσαν, λέγοντες, Δέσποτα, πολὺς ἡμῖν κόπος ἐγένετο, ὥστε συναγαγεῖν τοὺς ἐχθροὺς τοῦ κράτους ὑμῶν εἰς τὸ Ἱππικόν. καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ βασιλεύς, Καλῶς ἐποιήσατε ὅμως παρ ὃ ἐπείθοντο ὑμῖν κελεύουσιν αὐτοῖς, διὰ τί τοῦτο οὐκ ἐποιήσατε πρὸ τοῦ πᾶσα ἡ πόλις καυθῇ; καὶ λέγει τοῖς εὐνούχοις καὶ σπαθαρίοις αὐτοῦ καὶ Εὐλαλίῳ τῷ βαρβάτῳ καὶ τοῖς κανδιδάτοις. Λάβετε αὐτοὺς καὶ ἀποκλείσατε. καὶ ἔλαβον αὐτοὺς κάτω εἰς τὸ παλάτιον, καὶ ἀπέκλεισαν τὸν Ὑπάτιον καὶ τὸν Πομπήιον μόνους. ἐσφάγησαν δὲ τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς τὸ παλάτιν, ὡς λέγουσιν οἱ στοχασάμενοι, πολιτῶν καὶ ξένων ἀνδρῶν χιλιάδες λεʹ. καὶ οὐκέτι ἐφάνη δημότης πού ποτε, ἀλλὰ γέγονεν ἡσυχία ἕως ἑσπέρας. Chronicon Paschale I, ed. L. Dindorf (CSHB, Bonn 1832), pp Δημιουργήθηκε στις 21/1/2017 Σελίδα 9/9