Introduction
In a brilliant but turbulent career, Flavius Belisarius (?505-565) would recover North Africa from the Vandals and Rome from the Ostrogoths, and he would save Constantinople (the imperial capital) from the Huns. But before all this happened, he was involved in quite a different kind of campaign, the Nika Rebellion of 532, which began as a brawl amongst sports hooligans.
A singular outbreak of popular violence occurred about this period, which stained the streets of Constantinople with blood, and threatened for a time to hurl Justinian from his throne.* The fondness of the Romans for the amusements of the circus, had in no degree abated. Indeed, as the gladiatorial combats had been suppressed, these games were frequented with redoubled ardour. The charioteers were distinguished by the various colors of red, white, blue, and green, intending to represent the four seasons. Those of each color, especially the blue and green, possessed numerous and devoted partisans, which became at last connected with civil and religious prejudices.
Justinian favored the Blues, who became for that reason the emblem of royalty; on the other hand, the Greens became the type of disaffection. Though these dangerous factions were denounced by the statutes, still, at the period of which we speak, each party were ready to lavish their fortunes, risk their lives, and brave the severest sentence of the laws, in support of their darling colour.* Justinian I (483-565) was Roman Emperor from 527 until his death. He is best remembered today for the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom, Agia Sophia, in Constantinople, the city now known as Istanbul.
Précis
In the days of the Emperor Justinian, fans of chariot racing divided into rival colours. The rivalry between the Blues and the Greens was bitter, and it was not confined to sport. Religion and politics both played their part, with the Blues proudly loyal to the Emperors, whereas the Greens spoke with the voice of popular discontent. (57 / 60 words)
In the days of the Emperor Justinian, fans of chariot racing divided into rival colours. The rivalry between the Blues and the Greens was bitter, and it was not confined to sport. Religion and politics both played their part, with the Blues proudly loyal to the Emperors, whereas the Greens spoke with the voice of popular discontent.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, if, just, may, must, since, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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