### q5 Byzantine chariot-racing evoked violence > Casual violence began to become more associated with chariot racing from the fourth century, however, and continued as Constantinople assumed Rome’s mantle. By the late fifth century, gangs formed within groups of fans that resemble modern-day football ultras. Several high-profile riots occurred during the reign of the Emperor Anastasius (491–518). The toll of several of these events was significant, with around 3,000 fans of the Blue faction killed in an ambush from fans of the Green faction in 501, but still there had been nothing quite on the scale of the Nika Riots. > > Justinian as a co-emperor instigated a crackdown on faction-related rioting across the Empire - [View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01fjadj29ccrxkasqy4m3v831j) - [[Chariot-Racing Hooliganism The Nika Riots of Constantinople by Antigone#q5 Byzantine chariot-racing evoked violence|View in Vault]]