The teams were distinguished by colours: blue, green, red, and white. The supporters of the teams were found in every section of society, sometimes even including the emperor. The renowned ancient author Pliny the Younger’s statement on team supporters that “it is the colours they support” (Pliny the Younger, Letters Book 9.6) as opposed to any other aspect of chariot racing still rang true for most supporters in the sixth century.
Unlike during Pliny’s time, in the first century and after, the behaviour of the supporters tended toward violence, and there was a criminal-like element within the major teams, more interested in killing members of the opposing team than in the chariot races themselves. Religious motives were never a factor during inter-team rivalry, nor did the teams as a whole take part in religious disputes.
In sixth-century Constantinople, the only major teams were the Blues and Greens. Prior to becoming emperor, Justinian supported the Blues, but when he ascended the throne, he became colourblind and therefore supported none of the teams. However, as he had sown the wind, in January 532, he would reap the whirlwind.
Violence in the streets
In Constantinople, many riots were stirred up by one or another of the major teams, usually spurred on by their wins in the chariot races. Religiously motivated riots were rare;
