The slightly built eunuch, carrying a bag of gold given to him by Justinian, enters the Hippodrome alone and unarmed, against a murderous mob that has already killed hundreds.

Narses goes directly to the Blues' section, where he approaches the important Blues and reminds them that Emperor Justinian supports them over the Greens.

He also reminds them that the man they are crowning, Hypatius, is a Green.

He then distributes the gold.

The Blue leaders speak quietly with each other, then speak to their followers.

In the middle of Hypatius's coronation, the Blues march out of the Hippodrome.

The Greens sit, stunned, as Imperial troops led by Belisarius and Mundus storm into the Hippodrome, killing the remaining rebels.

About thirty thousand rioters are reportedly killed.