Hippodrome of Constantinople: Difference between revisions
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{{WP-REAL}} | {{Landmark Infobox | ||
{{ | |name = Hippodrome | ||
|image = Hippodrome Database image.png | |||
|location = [[Imperial District]], [[Constantinople]] | |||
|name | |features = [[Viewpoint]] | ||
|image | }} | ||
The '''Hippodrome of Constantinople''' was a circus and the sporting and social center of [[Constantinople]]. It contained an [[Obelisk of Theodosius|obelisk]] relocated from [[Egypt]] by the [[Roman Empire|Roman Emperor]] [[Theodosius I]], and a [[viewpoint]] on one of its columns. Its remains survive to this day. | |||
|location | |||
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The '''Hippodrome of | ==History== | ||
===Origins=== | |||
The Hippodrome once stood as one of the purest examples of Constantinople's {{Wiki|Classical Greece|classical Greek}} origins. Though the original structure dates to pre-Roman times, when the city was still called [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantium]], the Hippodrome was enlarged and improved by [[Constantine I|Constantine the Great]], and remained in use for nearly 800 years.<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Database: Hippodrome]]</ref> | |||
===Basil's Hippodrome race=== | |||
In 867, during the reign of Emperor [[Basil I]], he orchestrated a race at the Hippodrome to draw attention away from a recent attack on his palace, and he even offered to race for the green team.<ref name="Chapter 26">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Golden City]]'' – Chapter 26</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]] [[Basim ibn Ishaq]] and [[Hytham]] and the [[Varangian]] guard [[Thyra (Eagle Clan)|Thyra]] prepared a trap for the [[Order of the Ancients]], planning to bait them into striking at Prince [[Leo VI the Wise|Leo]] so they could kill them and their leader, [[Isaac]].<ref name="Chapter 27">''Assassin's Creed: The Golden City'' – Chapter 27</ref> | |||
During the emperor's race, Basim threw a spike in front of Basil's chariot, and the emperor was injured by the fall. Instantly, an Order member loosed an [[arrow]] into the emperor's box, and a crowd panic ensued. During the chaos, the Order attacked the Varangian guards protecting the royal family, and two of their members abducted Leo. However, the Hidden Ones, Thyra, and the Varangian guard [[Justin]] killed the attackers and chased after the kidnappers.<ref name="Chapter 28">''Assassin's Creed: The Golden City'' – Chapter 28</ref> | |||
Initially cornered, the kidnappers jumped two levels down outside the Hippodrome. The four allies managed to keep up with them,<ref name="Chapter 28" /> eventually confronting them in an alley, where more Order members, led by Isaac, revealed themselves. In the resulting fight, all the Ancients were killed and Leo was rescued.<ref name="Chapter 29">''Assassin's Creed: The Golden City'' – Chapter 29</ref> | |||
===Disrepairs=== | |||
After 1200, the Hippodrome began to fall into disrepair around the time of the [[Fourth Crusade]], when marauding [[Christianity|Christian]] armies from the West, sent forth by Pope [[Innocent III]], sacked Constantinople on their way to the [[Levant|Holy Land]].<ref name="Database" /> | |||
By the time Byzantine Emperor Michael Palaiologos had recaptured the city in 1261, the Hippodrome was in poor state and he made no effort to restore it to its former glory. When the Ottomans took over in 1453, all hope that it would ever be repaired dwindled to nothing. | By the time Byzantine Emperor [[Michael VIII Palaiologos|Michael Palaiologos]] had recaptured the city in 1261, the Hippodrome was in poor state, and he made no effort to restore it to its former glory. When the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] took over in 1453, all hope that it would ever be repaired dwindled to nothing, as chariot-racing was not a Turkish hobby.<ref name="Database" /> | ||
===Renaissance=== | ===Renaissance=== | ||
In 1511, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] met with [[Yusuf Tazim]] at the Hippodrome to discuss foiling an [[Attack on Suleiman | In 1511, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] met with [[Yusuf Tazim]] at the Hippodrome to discuss foiling an [[Attack on Prince Suleiman|attack]] on Prince [[Suleiman I|Suleiman]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' – [[The Prince's Banquet]]</ref> Later, Ezio and another Assassin tailed the murderous actress [[Lysistrata]] to the Hippodrome and found the bodies of her victims.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' – [[The Thespian, Part 1]]</ref> Ezio also returned to the Hippodrome to find a book, ''[[The Travels of Marco Polo]]'', which he later donated to [[Sofia Sartor]]'s [[book shop]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' – [[The Polo Symbols: Hippodrome]]</ref> | ||
===Modern times=== | ===Modern times=== | ||
By the 21st century, the site of the former Hippodrome has become a square called Sultanahmet Meydanı, or "Sultan Ahmet Square", sometimes referred to by Turkish residents as the Atmeydanı, or "Horse Square".<ref>{{WP|Hippodrome of Constantinople}}</ref> | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery captionalign=" | <gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180"> | ||
The Hippodrome of Constantinople.jpg|The Hippodrome. | The Hippodrome of Constantinople.jpg|The Hippodrome during the day | ||
ACR Hippodrome.png|The Hippodrome during dusk | |||
ACR | Hippodrome Gardens ACR.jpg|Concept art of the Hippodrome's interior | ||
Hippodrome ACR.jpg|Concept art of the Hippodrome from afar | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== | ==Appearances== | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' {{1st}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Golden City]]'' | |||
{{ | ==References== | ||
[[Category: | {{Reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Landmarks | {{ACGC}} | ||
[[Category:Race tracks]] | |||
[[Category:Landmarks in Constantinople]] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:12, 25 May 2026
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus and the sporting and social center of Constantinople. It contained an obelisk relocated from Egypt by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, and a viewpoint on one of its columns. Its remains survive to this day.
History[edit | edit source]
Origins[edit | edit source]
The Hippodrome once stood as one of the purest examples of Constantinople's classical Greek origins. Though the original structure dates to pre-Roman times, when the city was still called Byzantium, the Hippodrome was enlarged and improved by Constantine the Great, and remained in use for nearly 800 years.[1]
Basil's Hippodrome race[edit | edit source]
In 867, during the reign of Emperor Basil I, he orchestrated a race at the Hippodrome to draw attention away from a recent attack on his palace, and he even offered to race for the green team.[2] Meanwhile, the Hidden Ones Basim ibn Ishaq and Hytham and the Varangian guard Thyra prepared a trap for the Order of the Ancients, planning to bait them into striking at Prince Leo so they could kill them and their leader, Isaac.[3]
During the emperor's race, Basim threw a spike in front of Basil's chariot, and the emperor was injured by the fall. Instantly, an Order member loosed an arrow into the emperor's box, and a crowd panic ensued. During the chaos, the Order attacked the Varangian guards protecting the royal family, and two of their members abducted Leo. However, the Hidden Ones, Thyra, and the Varangian guard Justin killed the attackers and chased after the kidnappers.[4]
Initially cornered, the kidnappers jumped two levels down outside the Hippodrome. The four allies managed to keep up with them,[4] eventually confronting them in an alley, where more Order members, led by Isaac, revealed themselves. In the resulting fight, all the Ancients were killed and Leo was rescued.[5]
Disrepairs[edit | edit source]
After 1200, the Hippodrome began to fall into disrepair around the time of the Fourth Crusade, when marauding Christian armies from the West, sent forth by Pope Innocent III, sacked Constantinople on their way to the Holy Land.[1]
By the time Byzantine Emperor Michael Palaiologos had recaptured the city in 1261, the Hippodrome was in poor state, and he made no effort to restore it to its former glory. When the Ottomans took over in 1453, all hope that it would ever be repaired dwindled to nothing, as chariot-racing was not a Turkish hobby.[1]
Renaissance[edit | edit source]
In 1511, Ezio Auditore met with Yusuf Tazim at the Hippodrome to discuss foiling an attack on Prince Suleiman.[6] Later, Ezio and another Assassin tailed the murderous actress Lysistrata to the Hippodrome and found the bodies of her victims.[7] Ezio also returned to the Hippodrome to find a book, The Travels of Marco Polo, which he later donated to Sofia Sartor's book shop.[8]
Modern times[edit | edit source]
By the 21st century, the site of the former Hippodrome has become a square called Sultanahmet Meydanı, or "Sultan Ahmet Square", sometimes referred to by Turkish residents as the Atmeydanı, or "Horse Square".[9]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
The Hippodrome during the day -
The Hippodrome during dusk -
Concept art of the Hippodrome's interior -
Concept art of the Hippodrome from afar
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: The Golden City
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Database: Hippodrome
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: The Golden City – Chapter 26
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: The Golden City – Chapter 27
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: The Golden City – Chapter 28
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: The Golden City – Chapter 29
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – The Prince's Banquet
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – The Thespian, Part 1
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – The Polo Symbols: Hippodrome
- ↑
Hippodrome of Constantinople on Wikipedia
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