1990/11/01 by D. G. Turner · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Byzantine Studies and History #Historical and Religious Studies of Rome #Eurasian Exchange Networks
paper · doi:10.1017/s006824540001577x
openalex publication_date 1990/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
This article concerns the plague of 746–747, which took the lives of many in the Byzantine empire, especially in Constantinople. After discussing the main sources (i.e. the patriarch Nikephoros, Theodore the Stoudite, and Theophanes), mention is made of the possible influences which the plague had on developments in the iconoclastic controversy during the reign of Constantine V (741–75). The persecution of iconophile monks as well as attacks against the Holy (e.g., churches, icons, holy relics etc.) is placed in a more general psychological context which is at least partly explained by the plague. Finally, a brief reference is made to the Life of Leo of Katania which may reflect iconoclastic opinion on the matters given above.