Byzantine Iconoclasm

Byzantine Iconoclasm was a religious and political controversy in the Byzantine Empire, mainly during the 8th and 9th centuries, concerning the use of religious images, or icons, in worship. Iconoclasts, who opposed icons, believed they led to idolatry and should be destroyed. In contrast, iconodules supported their use as a means to connect with the divine. This debate reflected deeper issues of authority and faith, influencing art, culture, and society. The conflicts ultimately led to the eventual reinstatement of icons after the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which affirmed their importance in Christian worship.