| |
The hippodrome was an
immense construction 480 meters length and 117.5 meters wide; it
could seat, according to estimations one hundred thousand
spectators. It was build in 203 by the Emperor Septimus Severus and
later on Constantine the Great extended and remodeled it.
As Haghia Sophia was the center of religious life, the hippodrome
was the center of the civil activities. The interests and passions
of the population was divided between theological controversy and
chariots races on the hippodrome.
Today you can only see some monuments where the hippodrome was. If
you are curios and want to see how was the old Constantinople city
center click here ! The central line, or spina of the hippodrome was
marked by obelisks and columns, three of which are still outstanding
monuments at Sultan Ahmet square (see picture bellow: the red line
is where the hippodrome was located, behind it you can see the Blue
Mosque and Saint Sophia).
|
