Page 50 - God's Church through the Ages - Student Textbook

the ferocious attack. It was one of the rare times in the Middle Ages when infantry held its ground against a
mounted attack. The exact length of the battle is undetermined; Arab sources claim that it was a two day battle
whereas Christian sources hold that the fighting clamored on for seven days. In either case, the battle ended
when the French captured and killed Abd-er Rahman. The Moslem army withdrew peacefully overnight and even
though Martel expected a surprise retaliation, there was none. For the Moslems, the death of their leader
caused a sharp setback and they had no choice but to retreat back across the Pyrenees, never to return again.

Not only did this prove to be an extremely decisive battle for the Christians, but the Battle of Tours is considered
the highwater mark of the Moslem invasion of Western Europe.

The Battle of Tours 732 AD

38
Iconoclastic Controversy 725-842

The Iconoclastic Controversy occurred over the question of whether or not Christians
should continue to revere icons. Most common believers tended to revere icons (thus
they were called iconodules), but many political and religious leaders wanted to have
them smashed because they believed that venerating icons was a form of idolatry (they
were called iconoclasts).

The controversy was inaugurated in 726 when Byzantine Emperor Leo III commanded
that the image of Christ be taken down from the Chalke gate of the imperial palace.
After much debate and controversy, the veneration of icons was officially restored and sanctioned during a
council meeting in Nicaea in 787. However, conditions were put on their use - they had to be painted flat with
no features which stood out. Down through today icons play an important role in the Eastern Orthodox Church,
serving as "windows" to heaven.

One result of this conflict was that theologians developed the distinction between veneration and reverence
which was paid to icons and other religious figures, and adoration which was owed to God alone. Another was

38 https://www.britannica.com/event/Iconoclastic-Controversy
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