After the revolt of 532, the city of Constantinople lay in ruins. The revolt of 532, or Nika revolt, occurred because of a chariot race conflict. There were four teams the red, white, blue, and green. Some blue and green chariot team racers were arrested for murder. The rest of the members of each team came together and revolted for there teammates to be released from jail. This revolt caused many of the beautiful sites to be destroyed, including the Hagia Sophia. In his effort to rebuild the city, Justinian came up with what was called a Public Works Project. He did many things such as rebuild roads, bridges, parks, public baths, and even hospitals. The most important building structure he rebuilt was the Hagia Sophia. He made it so it's immense arching dome improved earlier Roman buildings. On the interior it glowed with embroidered silk curtains and colored marble. The rebuilding of the Hagia Sophia created many jobs for people, like construction, and other new buildings and Churches also gave more jobs to actors and priests. Justinian used his people's tax money to make the Public Works Project possible. (Elisabeth Ellis + Anthony Esler-236) Public Works Project means a government project created for the good of it's citizens. Even though we may not use it in the same way, we still have a Public Works Project today.
