Richard Wall
Book Themes
Aside from the central story theme of the Eastern Roman Empire brought to the brink of destruction by sports fans, other aspects of society influenced the events and characters of Blue Green. These themes are organically woven throughout the story as they are woven into the characters’ lives, providing the context of social history to enrich the story and readers’ understanding of the times.
Allure of Sports Belonging
Team affiliation then & now is about the need to be part of something bigger than oneself, a grounding force of identity. For some, changing religion was easier than changing from a fan of the Blues to Greens.
Slavery in Early Byzantine Times
Slavery was not race related but more fate related. Losing soldiers, conquered civilians or sold children could become slaves. Christianity had no qualms with that, considering a slave’s fate to be God’s will.
Third-Gender World of Eunuchs
For a thousand years across the East, eunuchs like Narses at left acted as buffers between rulers and others. Gaius spends time with his former mentor the eunuch Chrysanthos, learning about eunuch’s bodies, emotions and sexual desires.
Emperor’s Ties to Chariot Racing
The Hippodrome was connected to the imperial palace, a direct linking of the emperor, races & the cult of “Nika” (victory). The races, Colors, fans were elements acknowledging the emperor as the source of all victories.
Dynamics of Rioting
Rioting doesn’t just happen: it requires certain factors that can intentionally be ginned up. Gaius was a former Green rioter and street captain, knowledgeable about what causes a crowd to evolve into a mob, break into rioting, and become a destructive force.
Patriarchal Abuse
The ancient Roman patriarchal society continued with Christianity. Gaius’ father, the pater familias, could do what he wanted to his son – and did, almost forcing him to be a eunuch. The emperor was his subject's pater familias and could do as he wished – up to a point.
Religious Influence
While Christians argued over the true nature of Christ, which was at the core of most differences among denominations and sects, paganism still had a hold and Judaism was another religious force counter to Christianity. Then as today, religious friction was a major factor of society.
