Emperor Leo III

Emperor Leo III, who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 717 to 741 AD, is best known for initiating the trend of iconoclasm, which opposed the use of religious images in worship. This movement aimed to reform and strengthen the Church, but it also led to significant conflict within the empire. Leo was a skilled military leader who defended his empire against Arab invasions, notably during the siege of Constantinople in 717–718. His reign marked a pivotal point in Byzantine history, influencing both religious practices and the empire's military strategies for decades to come.