Histoire des Conciles, Vol. 3: D'Après les Documents Originaux; Deuxième Partie (Classic Reprint) (French Edition) - Softcover

Charles Joseph Hefele

 
9780259121947: Histoire des Conciles, Vol. 3: D'Après les Documents Originaux; Deuxième Partie (Classic Reprint) (French Edition)

Synopsis

This text delves into the origins of the eighth-century Byzantine iconoclastic controversy, a pivotal moment when the Eastern Christian Church clashed over the veneration of religious images. Before the rise of iconoclasm, images of Christ, saints, and the Virgin Mary were widely used for teaching and devotion. The author traces the roots of iconoclasm to a complex interplay of cultural, religious, and political factors. Emperor Leo III, an Isaurian general of humble origins, played a central role in this movement. Influenced by a literal interpretation of the Old Testament prohibition against idolatry, and perhaps also by the example of Islam's rejection of images, Leo issued an edict in 726 condemning the veneration of images as a return to paganism. The book not only examines the historical events but also explores the theological debates and the broader cultural significance of iconoclasm. It highlights the tensions between the official policy of the imperial court and the popular piety of the masses, as well as the complex ways in which the controversy intersected with issues of authority, tradition, and the nature of sacred representation. Through meticulous analysis of primary sources and historical context, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the origins and impact of iconoclasm, a movement that profoundly shaped the course of Byzantine art and religion.

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