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11. Byzantium - Last of the Romans

Fall of Civilizations Podcast

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Chariot Racing in Byzantium

Quakes and floods ravaged constantinople over a period of four months. A section of the great theodosian walls were brought down by tremors. One man was put in charge of repairing them, but he knew his city had one great untapped resource: its immense spirit of competition. He went to the hippodrome, or race track, where chariot racing held people's fanatic devotion like football does today. The declaration of a competition was clear and irresistible. These sports teams would each be given a section to complete, and they had to gather as many of their supporters to help as they could.

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