Iconoclasm is the deliberate destruction of a culture’s religious icons by its own followers, and often precipitates a major shift or break from an established religion. People who support iconoclasm are called “iconoclasts,” a term which has come to describe a person who breaks or disdains orthodoxy or established dogma. Iconoclasm can be distinguished from the destruction of one culture’s images by another group (such as the treatment of South Americans by the Spanish), and does not refer to the demolition of images of a leader after his death or overthrow (for example the toppling of Mussolini’s statues in Italy).

However, the two Byzantine outbreaks of iconoclasm, which occurred during the 8th and 9th centuries, are unique because the use of images was the main issue in dispute (during most iconoclastic periods, invective against “graven images” has usually acted as a symbolic kicking board for other ideological concerns). It is believed that “The First Iconoclasm” (726-787 AD) began after the eruption of an underwater earthquake between the islands of Thera and Therasia, which was interpreted by Emperor Leo III as a sign of God’s anger. This earthquake may have motivated Leo to remove an icon of Christ from the Chalke Gate the surrounded the imperial palace, and eschew religious iconography during the remainder of his reign.

During “The Second Iconoclasm” (814-842 AD), enacted by Constantine V, the Emperor explicitly banned the manufacture of any images of Christ and declared iconoclasm the official imperial policy. Many historians believe that the cultural confrontation with Islam, coupled with fear of and respect for their military might, may have inspired the Byzantine Christians to adopt Islamic precepts regarding the sinfulness of idolatry.

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