A Study On The Evolution Of The Constantinopolitan Factions From 4th To The 7th Century AD

Circus factions were important chariot-racing organization during Roman-Byzantine period,every faction consisted of citizens from city subdivisions and every faction had its own representative clothes.At least by the 4th century BC,there was in place at Rome a system of four racing factions differentiated by their representative colors.Then the fans could represent every subdivision' s political opinion and circus factions even became citizens' mouthpiece in the hippodrome.By the 4th century AD some changes happened in the administration of circus factions which were administrated by emperors;after ”Nika Revolt”,the emperors took control of circus factions more and more tightly,after late 6th century,the factions' right for complaint was impaired significantly,almost circus factions became ceremonial organization step by step.The article has its setting in Roman-Byzantine society's social and cultural transformation and I will study circus factions' origin and development,its changes on social role in Byzantine Empire from 4th to 7th century,and emperors' attitudes towards circus factions.In the foreword few technical terms are explained and some scholars' researching achievements are introduced,mainly about the circus factions' general meaning and the special meaning,members' number,and factions' colors.The main text includes three chapters.The first chapter focuses on circus factions' history with exact sources before Byzantine Empire.Originally they were just private horse stables which were composed of horses and necessary staff and in the charge of each faction's dominus factionis.And dominus made profit by hiring out horses and charioteers to those who provided games or directly participate games which were provided by cities' representatives.We can find evidence from sources of early Augustus' reign.Owing to its importance from then on circus factions were controlled by emperors step by step.By early Byzantine Empire,circus factions had lost the former independent status.Then the imperial stables held the best herds and circus factions were administrated and fed by imperial quartermaster,but the fans were not controlled by government.The second chapter is mainly about circus factions' social role.Byzantine circus factions inherited the function as citizens' mouthpiece from ancient Roman Empire,its accessibility depended on monarchic individual will;circus factions played insignificant military role only in case of emergency and they were not regular militia.They served as ritual servants for creating mood in imperial rituals,generally they were responsible for chanting and organize audiences.The third chapter emphasizes emperors' attitudes.The rulers authorized circus factions to hold games in order to show philanthropia:emperors held games to publicize aristocratic values and win citizens' trust.Continually they were present in the hippodrome and listened to the complaint about political and religious affairs.Emperors also set a limit to circus factions' members who were punished by force once they were over the limit.In conclude,circus factions were important organizations which were subordinate to municipal administration during Roman and Byzantine Empire,which changed significantly from 4th to 7th century.Firstly circus factions were chariot racing organizations for entertainment,then they played the role as citizens' mouthpiece,then they played an important ceremonial role in court rituals,which was relevant to the reform of the whole Late Antiquity.During this period the democracy was weaken,in the meantime imperial power and centralization was strengthened.In order to stabilize this country and govern populace,on the one hand emperors tried to manipulate circus factions,on the other hand emperors tried to weaken factions' power and strengthen their ceremonial role.