Eikontistai

Eikontistai, also known as Iconoclasts, were a group of Byzantine emperors who promoted the destruction of religious images, particularly icons, in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The movement gained prominence in the 8th century and was led by Emperor Leo III the Isaurian, who issued the Edict of Leo III in 726 AD. This edict declared that the veneration of icons was idolatry and ordered their destruction. The edict was later reversed by Emperor Leo IV the Khazar, who issued the Edict of Leo IV in 787 AD, restoring icon veneration. The Eikontistai movement had a significant impact on the religious and political landscape of the Byzantine Empire, leading to a period of religious turmoil and division. The movement was eventually reversed, and the veneration of icons became a central tenet of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The Eikontistai movement is a complex and controversial topic, with scholars debating the motivations and consequences of the iconoclastic movement.