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| Byzantine Empire Hippodrome of Constantinople - Sultanahmet |
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The Great Hippodrome of the Byzantine Empire.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a
horse-racing track that was the sporting and
social centre of Constantinople, capital of the
Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe.
Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydani in
the Turkish city of Istanbul, with only a few
fragments of the original structure surviving.
The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos
('ιππος), horse, and dromos (δρομος),
path or way. Horse racing and chariot racing were
popular pastimes in the ancient world and
hippodromes were common features of Greek cities
in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.
History and use
Although the Hippodrome is usually associated with
Constantinople's days of glory as an imperial
capital, it actually predates that era. The first
Hippdrome was built when the city was called
Byzantium (Byzantion in Greek), and was a
provincial town of moderate importance. In 203 the
Emperor Septimius Severus rebuilt the city and
expanded its walls, endowing it with a hippodrome,
an arena for chariot races and other
entertainments.
In 324, the Emperor Constantine the Great decided
to move the seat of the government from Rome to
Byzantium, which he renamed Nova Roma (New Rome).
This name failed to impress and the city soon
became known as Constantinople, the City of
Constantine. Constantine greatly enlarged the
city, and one of his major undertakings was the
renovation of the Hippodrome. It is estimated that
the Hippodrome of Constantine was about 150 metres
long and 130 metres wide. Its stands were capable
of holding 100,000 spectators.
The race-track at the Hippodrome was U-shaped, and
the Emperor's box, with four bronze statues of
horses on its roof, was located at the eastern end
of the track. These horses, which were cast in the
5th century BC and brought from Greece, were
looted during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and
installed on the façade of St Mark's Basilica in
Venice. The track was lined with other bronze
statues of famous horses and chariot drivers, none
of which survive.
Throughout the Byzantine period, the Hippodrome
was the centre of the city's social life. Huge
amounts were bet on chariot races, and the whole
city was divided between fans of the Blue
(Venetii) and Green (Prasinoi) chariot racing
teams. The two other racing teams, the Reds
(Rousioi) and the Whites (Leukoi), gradually
weakened and were absorbed by the two major
factions. Frequently rivalry between Blues and
Greens became mingled with political or religious
factions, and riots which sometimes amounted to
civil wars broke out in the city between them. The
most severe of these was the Nika riots of 532, in
which 30 000 people were said to have been killed.
Constantinople never really recovered from its
sack during the Fourth Crusade and even though the
Byzantine Empire survived until 1453, the
Hippodrome was not rebuilt and did not regain its
former glory. The Ottoman Turks, who captured the
city in 1453 and made it the capital of the
Ottoman Empire, were not interested in racing and
the Hippodrome was gradually forgotten, although
the site was never actually built over.
Tags : Byzantine Empire Hippodrome greek greece greeks ancient 300 spartans byzantium medieval venice venetians marks saint |
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Affichage : 1253
Durée : 144 s |
| The Great Hippodrome of the Byzantine Empire |
 |
The Great Hippodrome of the Byzantine Empire.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a
horse-racing track that was the sporting and
social centre of Constantinople, capital of the
Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe.
Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydani in
the Turkish city of Istanbul, with only a few
fragments of the original structure surviving.
The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos
('ιππος), horse, and dromos (δρομος),
path or way. Horse racing and chariot racing were
popular pastimes in the ancient world and
hippodromes were common features of Greek cities
in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.
History and use
Although the Hippodrome is usually associated with
Constantinople's days of glory as an imperial
capital, it actually predates that era. The first
Hippdrome was built when the city was called
Byzantium (Byzantion in Greek), and was a
provincial town of moderate importance. In 203 the
Emperor Septimius Severus rebuilt the city and
expanded its walls, endowing it with a hippodrome,
an arena for chariot races and other
entertainments.
In 324, the Emperor Constantine the Great decided
to move the seat of the government from Rome to
Byzantium, which he renamed Nova Roma (New Rome).
This name failed to impress and the city soon
became known as Constantinople, the City of
Constantine. Constantine greatly enlarged the
city, and one of his major undertakings was the
renovation of the Hippodrome. It is estimated that
the Hippodrome of Constantine was about 150 metres
long and 130 metres wide. Its stands were capable
of holding 100,000 spectators.
The race-track at the Hippodrome was U-shaped, and
the Emperor's box, with four bronze statues of
horses on its roof, was located at the eastern end
of the track. These horses, which were cast in the
5th century BC and brought from Greece, were
looted during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and
installed on the façade of St Mark's Basilica in
Venice. The track was lined with other bronze
statues of famous horses and chariot drivers, none
of which survive.
Throughout the Byzantine period, the Hippodrome
was the centre of the city's social life. Huge
amounts were bet on chariot races, and the whole
city was divided between fans of the Blue
(Venetii) and Green (Prasinoi) chariot racing
teams. The two other racing teams, the Reds
(Rousioi) and the Whites (Leukoi), gradually
weakened and were absorbed by the two major
factions. Frequently rivalry between Blues and
Greens became mingled with political or religious
factions, and riots which sometimes amounted to
civil wars broke out in the city between them. The
most severe of these was the Nika riots of 532, in
which 30 000 people were said to have been killed.
Constantinople never really recovered from its
sack during the Fourth Crusade and even though the
Byzantine Empire survived until 1453, the
Hippodrome was not rebuilt and did not regain its
former glory. The Ottoman Turks, who captured the
city in 1453 and made it the capital of the
Ottoman Empire, were not interested in racing and
the Hippodrome was gradually forgotten, although
the site was never actually built over.
Tags : The Great Hippodrome of the Byzantine Empire |
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Affichage : 144
Durée : 144 s |
| Derby Hippodrome Vs Hill Street Blues |
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PLEASE SPEND A FEW MOMENTS TO READ THE DESCRIPTION
BELOW.Thankyou.
*Please note: I did not take these pics*
These are the FACTS. Up untill recently this grade
II listed Marshall & Tweedy designed Derby
Hippodrome was occupied by the 'Walkers' bingo
chain. Walkers did little to alter the
layout/style of the building except for removing
the seats in the stalls to make way for bingo
tables. Apart from being slightly dusty up in the
dress circle,upper circle and backstage,
everything was pretty much as it was when it first
opened it's doors in 1914. Yes folks, this
building was unmolested,original and patiently
waiting for it to be used once more for theatre
go-ers of the east midlands. Despite theatre
groups being busy putting bids together it was
sold to a property developer for £375,000.
On 8/3/08 a fire broke out in the orchestra pit.
Derby police have since confirmed that it was
arson. The fire was confined to the stage and the
decorative domed ceiling directly above. Major
damage was averted by the 94 year old fire
curtain. Even today it now hangs in place trying
to guard what's left of the theatre.
ON 28/3/08 a demolition company was brought in to
make the roof 'safe'. What you see in the video is
the end result. Not even a Hollywood script writer
could beat this story. All this destruction has
happened in the space of a couple of months.
YouTubers can draw their own conclusions!! At
first glance the damage looks serious, but the
building is built to last and is still
structurally sound with the roof 'repairs' making
things look much worse than they really are.
On 17/4/08 thru the High Court in London: English
Heritage, Theatres' Trust and Derby City Council
will try to safeguard our theatre's existence for
future generations to enjoy. These organisations
welcome your comments and support. So if like the
people of Derbyshire YOU too are outraged at the
demise of the Derby Hippodrome (or have a spare
million or three to donate) then please email them
and express your concerns.
NEWS UPDATE: 25/4/08 Derby Council wins our legal
battle for an injunction to stop the developer
demolishing the Hippo.The developer must now pay
the council 20k in legal fees. The fight still
continues!
NEWS UPDATE: 12/5/08 Officials were called to the
Hippodrome after trespassers entered the building
and fractured the water main (??) causing some
flood damage. YouTubers can once again draw their
own conclusions!!
To see what our gorgeous theatre looked like up
untill a few months ago just go to the other
YouTube 'Derby Hippodrome' clips and see for
yourself. Or visit the fantastic website listed
below.
http://www.derbyhippodrome.co.uk
Thanks for reading.
(The Derby Hippodrome Trust).
Tags : derby hippodrome hill street blues english heritage leona lewis bitney spears barack obama george bush |
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Affichage : 628
Durée : 189 s |
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