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icon (Gr., "image"): an image depicting Christ, the
Virgin or holy person, also a depiction of an event in the life
of Christ, etc. These images comprise more than just panel paintings;
there also exist icons created in the format of mosaic metalwork
and textile.
Iconoclasm (Gr., "breaking of images"): movement against
religious images occurring during the eighth and ninth centuries.
The iconoclasts rejected the sanctity of icons and outlawed
their veneration. The periods of iconoclasm were 730–87 and
814–843.
iconoclast (Gr., "image destroyer"):
supporter of the movement against the veneration of icons.
iconography (Gr., "image writing"): the study of the
of the symbolic as opposed to the stylistic content of works
of art.
iconophile (Gr., "image lover"): a person who venerates
icons; the defenders of icons against the iconoclast cause.
iconostasis (Gr., "stand for image"):
The screen that separates the altar from the nave of the church,
into which icons are set in place, thus blocking the view of
the congregation.
idiorrhythmic (from the Gr., "following one’s own
devices"): monastic rule in which the members of the community
may retain their own personal property. The monks eat separately
within their own cells and control the general disposition of
their own time. Idiorrhythmic monasteries are not directed by
an hegoumenos, instead a council make decisions for the community.
This type of monasticism became popular during the Palaiologan
Period, despite criticism of its rejection of communal life,
see coenobitic.
IlKhans: A Mongol dynasty established in Persia
after the destruction of Baghdad in 1258 by Hulagu, grandson
of Chingiz Khan. The Il-khans were subordinate to the Great
Khan in China, and Hulagu continued the cultural practices of
his ancestors, including shamanism, and nomadism. The Il-khanids
controlled territories stretching from the Oxus River to the
Mediterranean Sea; Michael VIII Palaiologos concluded a treaty
with Hulagu, and sent his illegitimate daughter Maria to become
one of Hulagu’s wives in 1265. Maria returned to Constantinople
after the death of her husband Abaqa, and became the ktetorissa
of the Panagiotissa Monastery in Constantinople, now known as
Saint Mary of the Mongols. A portrait of Mary may survive from
the Narthex at the Chora Monastery, where she is seen dressed
in the habit of a nun, with an inscription with her monastic
name of Melania. Culturally the transformation of the Il-khanid
Dynasty began when Ghazan Khan severed relations with the Great
Khan in China in 1295. Ghazan converted to Islam and initiated
architectural projects utilizing Persian forms.
Imago Pietatis, see "Akra Tapeinosis."
impost block: an inverted pyramid-shaped stone block, truncated,
then placed between the capital of a column and the arches or
vaults that it supports.
intaglio (It., "carving"): sunk or
negative relief carved into a stone, see cameo and (cat 148).
Islam (Ar., "submission (to God)"): monotheistic religion
founded by Muhammad during the seventh century C.E. in Arabia.
To be a Muslim one must accept the Koran as the collected revelation
of God and be obedient to the Five Pillars (arkan) of Islam.
The Five Pillars consist of: 1] profession of faith "There
is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
2] The performance of ritual prayer five time a day [salat].
3] The giving of alms [zakat]. 4] Fasting [saum] during the
month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. 5]
Pilgrimage made to the Holy city of Mecca.
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