Faction

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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Faction

in the Roman Empire, a group of people involved in organizing equestrian contests.

The term was later transferred by scholars studying Byzantium to the sports organizations, known in Byzantine cities from the fourth century A.D., that arranged and conducted circus and sports events.

Large groups of fans, called demes, adhered to the various factions. There were usually four factions in each city, and they, like the demes, were named according to the color of the costumes worn by their charioteers: the Blues (Veneti), Greens (Prasinoi), Whites (Leukoi), and Reds (Russi). The most important were the Veneti and Prasinoi of Constantinople, who played an important political role in the fifth through seventh centuries. They lost their political importance around the middle of the seventh century and subsequently concerned themselves solely with the organization of sports competitions and festive ceremonies in Constantinople.

References in periodicals archive ?

In perhaps the best known incident in 1996, a GIA faction kidnapped seven French, Trappist monks and demanded the French government release GIA prisoners held in France.

CENTRIFUGAL TENDENCIES IN THE ALGERIAN CIVIL WAR

''We realize the government has tried to improve its performance, but its synergy is very weak,'' faction spokeswoman Nurdiati Akmal told the 700-member assembly.

Indonesia's powerbrokers grill Wahid on policies

Armed men belonging to the United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO)--one of the factions that waged the bloody conflict--forced the people of Gonzipo to flee in 1994 and then stole anything of value and destroyed the village.

JESUS COME! DEVIL GO!

I wanted the book to lay out the right's factions and philosophies, from the Christian right to armed Identity Christians like the Freemen.

Eyes Right: Challenging the Rightwing Backlash

Four candidates still bid for Ombudsman, including Tokon Mamytov, who was nominated by SDPK faction, human rights activist Rita Karasartova and former deputy prosecutor general Ryskul Baktybaev, who were nominated by Bir Bol faction, nominated by Ata Meken faction Kanat Aziz, vice chief of the Ata Meken faction secretariat.

One of candidates for Ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan revokes candidacy

The state structure was, however, not handed to the Fouad Oki faction, judged to have conducted the exercise in line with the national and party laws, guiding such an exercise.

Congress fallout: APC shocks Tinubu, Ajimobi, Kwankwaso, Dogara, Amaechi, Omo-Agege, others

Salem (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 24 ( ANI ): The sidelined All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran has objected to the decision of the Election Commission (EC) of allotting the "two leaves" party symbol to EPS-OPS faction, and accused it of conducting inquiry in an unfair manner.

'Two leaves' symbol case: Dhinakaran alleges Centre's hand in EC order

He maintained, however, that the BARMM has kept its distance from the BIFF faction of Abu Toraife that has linked itself with the ISIS.

BARMM negotiating with 2 BIFF factions for possible surrender

Burovs' situation is better because support to him has been promised by Harmony faction, while four lawmakers expelled from Harmony do not exclude their support to Burovs, which would ensure 32 votes out of 60.

(w/ADD) JKP and Unity still want snap elections at Riga City Council

The simmering row between a faction led by BAK chairman John Kameta and another led by his deputy Albert Matito has boiled over, with each group coming up with its own plans for the team selection tournament, the Kenya Open Boxing Championship.

Stop wrangles in boxing

Leonard Nkah faction reelected him as the Chairman of the union while the Ikechukwu Nwafor faction also retained him as its own Chairman.

NLC Election: Ebonyi Chapter Elects 2 Chairman

Summary: New Delhi [India], Apr 1 (ANI): The Anupriya Patel faction of Apna Dal has approached the Election Commission (EC), against the Krishna Patel faction for using the party name during electioneering in the impending Lok Sabha elections, slated to commence from April 11.