Iconoclastic Controversy

The Iconoclastic Controversy was a significant dispute in the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th centuries over the use of religious images, called icons, in worship. Some believed icons were essential for devotion, while others argued they were idolatrous and should be banned. This conflict divided the church, leading to periods of iconoclasm—destruction of images—and restoration of their use. It reflected broader struggles between different theological and political factions. The controversy ultimately influenced the development of Orthodox Christianity and the relationship between church and state in the Byzantine Empire.