16 The Iconoclastic Controversy

Many Byzantines became convinced that icons meant idolatry, and hence divine punishment. Iconoclasm (“the breaking of images“) began under Leo III (r. 717–741) and was finally settled by a moderate compromise in 843. The dispute defined orthodox ritual and widened the divide between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Henceforth, Rome looked west and Constantinople became the “queen of cities“ for Eastern Europe.