(Working thread for EaH)
Assuming that the Arab raids and campaigns of 720's and 730's fail to really threaten the imperial cores (Caesarea isn't plundered for instance).
It would have probable consequence on iconoclasm development : for instance the power of holy icons would be proven, and neither Leo III or his councilors could play on that to tone down byzantine monachism.
(Note that it wouldn't be thanks to Byzantine success exactly, but to Arab inability to raid central Anatolia)
While iconoclasm is a thing at this point, what would be its development : an urban religous practice at the edge of orthodoxy but not clearly separated?
Could an exaggerated iconodulism be eventually that much important that orthodoxy could see iconoclast practices as themselves erroneous, but a temporary allies against ultra-iconodulism? (So far, I think this idea could be interesting, while it would probably evolve into "First ultra-iconodulism; Then iconoclasts" making a possible longer crisis)
Eventually, would iconoclams fade out, with regular revivals, or would it still provoke a long crisis as OTL just delayed and less tied to the situation of the Empire?
Assuming that the Arab raids and campaigns of 720's and 730's fail to really threaten the imperial cores (Caesarea isn't plundered for instance).
It would have probable consequence on iconoclasm development : for instance the power of holy icons would be proven, and neither Leo III or his councilors could play on that to tone down byzantine monachism.
(Note that it wouldn't be thanks to Byzantine success exactly, but to Arab inability to raid central Anatolia)
While iconoclasm is a thing at this point, what would be its development : an urban religous practice at the edge of orthodoxy but not clearly separated?
Could an exaggerated iconodulism be eventually that much important that orthodoxy could see iconoclast practices as themselves erroneous, but a temporary allies against ultra-iconodulism? (So far, I think this idea could be interesting, while it would probably evolve into "First ultra-iconodulism; Then iconoclasts" making a possible longer crisis)
Eventually, would iconoclams fade out, with regular revivals, or would it still provoke a long crisis as OTL just delayed and less tied to the situation of the Empire?