Irene of Athens the Iconophile

Hi I am Moray, I can't afford to do a history MA so I talk about history on the internet. We are talking about Irene of Athens today and the Iconoclast controversy in the Byzantine Empire. Irene was a staunch Iconophile despite being married to an Iconoclast husband Leo IV.

Iconoclasts believed that the veneration of religious icons was idolatry and should be abolished.

Iconophiles supported the use and veneration of icons, believing they were essential for the Christian faith and teachings.

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:47 The Byzantine Empire Pre Irene
1:31 Leo IV (Irene's Husband)
1:56 What is Iconoclasm?
3:28 Irene of Athens Early Life
5:33 The Second Council of Nicaea.
6:27 Irene and Constantine's power struggle

While Irene's father-in-law, Leo III, was a huge Iconoclast who implemented the first Iconoclast policy, Irene's husband, Leo IV, was less dogmatic. Though he was technically an Iconoclast, he was not as vehement about the policy as his father. In this vide, we ask. Is the reason for his gentle stance because Irene, a strong Iconophile, worked to wear him down on the issue? And why was Irene so dogmatic about her Iconophile stance?

Thanks for supporting watching and liking. All the lovely comments are so appreciated.
Moray and x

Writer and host: Moray Luke
Filming and editing: Gergana A. Akeksieva

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