Did emperor Leo III introduce imperial iconoclasm?

This essay explores the origins of Byzantine iconoclasm, traditionally attributed to Emperor Leo III in the second quarter of the 8th century. It examines the influence of the Islamic world on Leo’s actions, considering whether Arab interactions may have prompted him to issue an edict against icons. Offering a counterargument, the essay also evaluates the possibility that imperial iconoclasm stemmed from Leo's personal religious convictions rather than external influences. However, as this essay argues, the lack of evidence supporting an imperial edict during Leo’s reign suggests, as some historians contend, that it is unlikely he formally introduced iconoclasm at a large scale. The analysis draws on contemporary sources, letters from Patriarch Germanos, and the controversial Chalke Gate incident. It concludes by shifting responsibility for the introduction of imperial iconoclasm to Leo’s son, Constantine V, who more evidently implemented and enforced the policy through pragmatic and aggressive measures against icon veneration and monasticism.