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Iconoclasm refers to the deliberate destruction or defacement of religious or cultural icons, symbols, or images, often motivated by theological, political, or ideological beliefs. The term originates from the Greek words *eikonoklasmos*, meaning "image-breaking," and is most famously associated with the Byzantine Iconoclasm of the 8th and 9th centuries, when the Eastern Roman Empire underwent periods of systematic opposition to religious imagery.

During these periods, emperors such as Leo III and Constantine V banned the veneration of icons, arguing that worshipping painted or sculpted representations violated the Second Commandment’s prohibition against graven images. Supporters of iconoclasm, known as iconoclasts, contended that such practices encouraged idolatry and distracted from spiritual devotion. Opponents, or iconophiles, defended the use of icons as legitimate forms of worship and artistic expression, leading to intense theological and political conflict.

Beyond Byzantium, iconoclasm has appeared in various forms throughout history. In the Protestant Reformation, some radical factions, such as the Anabaptists, destroyed Catholic religious art, viewing it as superstitious and contrary to biblical purity. Similarly, during the English Civil War, Puritan forces dismantled statues and stained glass in churches, aligning with their belief in simplicity and direct scriptural worship. In modern times, iconoclasm has been employed in political contexts, such as the destruction of statues or monuments deemed offensive or representative of oppressive regimes.

The practice raises complex questions about the relationship between faith, art, and power. While some view iconoclasm as a necessary critique of established authority, others see it as an act of cultural erasure. The legacy of iconoclasm persists in debates over heritage, memory, and the boundaries of acceptable representation in society.