Iconoclasm in the Early Middle Ages and the Present
Iconoclasm refers to the opposition and destruction of religious images by religious and imperial authorities. It is believed that Byzantine iconoclasm occurred in two waves, the first being during the 8th century and the second during the 9th century. There are many theories as to how and why iconoclasm started during the Byzantine Era and these will be debated. The methods and reasons of Byzantine iconoclasm will also be compared to modern day iconoclasm.
Although the actual year is disputed, the first Byzantine iconoclasm is believed to have started with Emperor Leo III around 723-725. (pg. 53) There are many different written sources that discuss what actually happened during this time, however not all coincide with each other completely. Nicephorous of Constantinople recalls the events in his “Short History” during the late 780’s making it one of the closest sources to the actual events. (pg. 53) He states that Leo heard volcanic eruptions on the islands of Thera and Therasia and he took these eruptions as a merciless sign from God and ultimately began planning the removal of icons. (pg. 53) In another source, “The Chronicle”, Theophane also mentions that Emperor Leo hears the volcanic eruptions on the islands, and states that he understood the Godly symbol as reassuring that what he was already doing was the right thing. Theophane states that before this eruption, Leo had met with a Jewish wizard who had promised him a reign of forty years if he removed the holy icons from churches. (pg. 53) This source however was written around 815, so it is uncertain how accurate Theophanes reports are. Theophane also stated that there was much opposition to Leo’s views from people...
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...rulers were unsuccessful and that iconophobic views would help strengthen the Byzantine Empire. (pg. 247) Under Leo’s command a council was assembled and met at Hagia Sophia three times to discuss the matter of icons. (pg. 249) Leo’s report was read and those who did not agree with it were spit on, beaten, or dismissed from the council. (pg. 247) On the third day a proposal was created and approved in favor of iconoclasm. (pg. 247) The previous teachings of Hieria were subjected as being right in which they stated that “images are essentially idols, icons of Christ either circumscribe his uncircumscribable divinity or split his divine and human natures, and images cannot convey the resurrected glory of saints”. (pg. 247) Although Leo had suggested that images be removed from reach in churches, the council had not done much to actually engage in iconoclasm. (pg. 250)
The representation of divinity was clearly defined in Christ in Majesty with Symbols of the Four Evangelists through its subject matter, technique, and style. Christ acts as the focal point, but the artist also used different subjects from the Old and New Testament to decorate the apse. Unlike the mosaics in the apse of Byzantine churches, the artist employed the technique of classical fresco painting. The artist also applied decoration to the figures with the hierarchy of scale, and through the geometric style in the drapery instead of maintaining a sense of realism.
A major theme in the Orthodox church is iconography. In the Orthodox church the paintings are not merely pictures they are icons, an icon makes the saint "present." These icons receive prayers and veneration, but are not worshiped. Icons are not portrayals of scenes like some stained glass windows, they are of one or two people, a holy portrait. Iconography is not restricted to the church but can also be displayed in houses or worn as jewelr...
“The Passions of Christ: A Journey Through Byzantine Art.” Kypros-Net: “The World of Cyprus”. 18 Oct. 2004 <http://kypros.org/Byzantine/>.
The Middle Ages, contrary to its name, was a dynamic period of innovations. Throughout this period, visual arts were employed to communicate important messages to the public as well as private wealthy patrons. A variety of mediums were used to disseminate ideas. Though, the sense of decorum shifted, the purpose of these moralizing images of religious figures remained the same. Art was, as it still is an extremely useful and powerful tool for both religious and political advancements. The two pieces to be considered in this paper were created using scenes from the life of Christ. Themes from the old and new testaments were frequently used in art of the Middle Ages to convey important messages to a largely illiterate populous, display the wealth of few individuals, and create feelings of patriotism and support for the Monarch by relating them to divinity. Both pieces are from different mediums and likely different forms of patronage. To be analyzed in this paper is an illuminated manuscript page (fig 1) and an ivory diptych (fig 2). There are several similarities, as well as differences throughout the works. I will describe each piece then continue to compare and contrast them, this will work to facilitate a greater understanding of the Middle Ages through works of art.
Flood explains the origin of Islamic iconoclasm through a quote by K.A.C. Creswell stating, "the inherent temperamental dislike of Semitic races for representational art" and believes iconoclasm is contested among Muslims as well. The Hadith, which is the narrative of the Prophet's life forbids "all representations that have shadows (whose defacement is obligatory), and some schools of thought go so far as to liken artists to polytheists." Although the impact of iconoclasm depends on the time and place in which it occurred, the Hadith definitely helped to promote "the eschewal of figural imagery" and "the destruction or mutilation of existing figural imagery." In 696-697 figural imagery was repla...
The first phase of Iconoclasm ended in 787, but Leo V later initiated a second phase in 814, which lasted until 843 (3). As a result of these bans, very few examples of Byzantine art survived from this period, and for more than a century Byzantine artists were basically unemployed (5) and churches were no longer decorated as lavishly as they had once been before. Although Leo III and Leo V may have effectively removed the majority of physical icons from the Byzantine culture, neither was able to effectively destroy the practice of idol worship, which continues today in the Orthodox
The first clear instance where Christianity is seen in Constantine's life is during his campaign against Maxentius. In the spring of 311, when Constantine was marching to Rome to battle against Maxentius, he saw a vision in the sky, a bright cross along with the words "by this sign conquer." Later that night, he had a dream in which God told him to use that sign as a safeguard to use in all of his future battles. Constantine awoke and immediately ordered his troops to inscribe the chi-rho, the sign he saw a combination of the Greek letters chi and rho, onto their shields (Constantine Converts to Christianity 312). Some historians have deemed it more appropriate to consider Constantine a patron of Christianity at this point rather than a convert as it appears that he is using it as a means to conquer and attributes his success to it rather being convicted and committed to Jesus Christ as a true Christian should (Legitimization Under Constantine). Meanwhile, at the same time that Constantine is having holy visions and dreams, Maxentius sought guidance and confirmation from pagan oracles and found a prophecy declaring the "the enemy of the Romans would parish." Emboldened by this prophecy, he left the defensive position of Rome and met Constantine at Milvian Bridge. Constantine was victorious despite having an army about a third of the size of Maxentius'. It is said that Maxentius' army became confused and scattered during the battle. Maxentius was drive...
Throughout Elizabeth Winthrop’s short story, “The Golden Darters,” are symbols of how Emily, the main character, is growing up. The most obvious symbols are Emily piercing her ears, her father’s table where he works on the flies, and the golden darters.
Most people appreciate their hair as the most valuable assets especially for women. However, there are so many problems related to this precious thing nowadays such as hair loss (alopecia), dandruffs and premature greying and balding. The researcher’s team headed by Professor Markus Nothen from University of Bonn and Dr. Roland Kruse from Dusseldorf University in 2005 discovered that the main cause of alocepia is hereditary factors which either because of high androgen receptor formed or variant receptor which develops as a result of genetic change. In addition according to Hoffman (2002), “The most common form of alopecia in men is believed to be due excessive activity of androgens on the scalp where the hairs become miniaturized and pigment production is stopped.” Hamilton (1951); Hoffman (2002); Price (2003); Severi et al., (2003) claimed that conversion towards more potent testosterone is due to elevation level of 5-alpha reductase lead to common baldness. For the genetically derived phenomenon, it supposed to be totally about the hereditary cause and the other exogenous factors will be excluded. However, there are also views from proponents saying that some natural food involves in solving these hair—related problems for example emblica officinalis or amla.
Byzantine culture begins with the establishment of the city Constantinople by Emperor Constantine in 330 AD. This is considered by some historians to be the beginning of Byzantium, the term for the Eastern Roman Empire. Other historians argue that Byzantium was only established after the fall of the empire in the West in 476 (Loverance 6). The Byzantines continued many Roman traditions, but as time went on, Byzantine culture became more and more distant from that of the Romans.
Behind the elaborate fresco paintings and splendid architecture, Eastern Orthodox Church has played a significant role in the preservation of Christian tradition throughout history. Since the transfer of the imperial capitol of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople, the Eastern Orthodox Christianity has evolved into a distinct branch of Christianity (Steeves). As Timothy Ware, the author of The Orthodox Church, suggests, major intellectual, cultural, and social developments that were taking place in a different region of the Roman Empire were not entirely consistent with the evolution of Western Christianity (Ware 8). These traditions and practices of the church of Constantinople were adopted by many and still provide the basic patterns and ethos of contemporary Orthodoxy. The Eastern Orthodox Church has adopted unique organizational features, beliefs, and traditions constituting itself as a unique branch of Christianity.
Counter hegemony emerged not only with the national resistance of Iraq but through an international movement against the war.
The Byzantine mosaic was an early Christian predecessor whereby it clear cuts the religious tales drawn from the bible. There was a combination of forces between the political and religious authority which gave the emperor power over the architecture and art of Byzantine Empire. The Roman Empire was collapsing due to the interruption by German tribes hence they were not able to teach manners and morals according to the artistic and cultural ways of the mosaics hence they were unable to determine art of the early Christianity while the art of Byzantine
Early Christian and Byzantine art started after Jesusí death in the first century ranging and ending to the fourth century AD. The art produced during this period was secretive because Christianity was not a formal religion but as a cult; the Romans and rest of Europe persecuted Christians so the artist disguised their work with symbols and hints of Christian aspects. Christianity was the first cult to not involve rituals of sacrifice of animals and refused to worship an Emperor causing the Roman Empire to make Christianity illegal. Byzantine art excelled in the Justinian period in the east during 520-540 AD. The art was produced in Ravenna, Byzantine, Venice, Sicily, Greece, and Russia. The difference between Christian and Byzantine is that Christian was earth beyond realism and Byzantine was more spiritual than worldly style. This art period was sectioned off into three different periods. The first was persecution from the first to the third century. The second was due to Constantine making Christianity legal in the fourth century. The last period is known as New Christian style starting in the fifth century. Most of the art from this period was frescoes, mosaics, and architecture.
What is ideology? How can it help us understand media? Use academic literature to support your argument.