²⁶ Ecclesiastical History, b. 40, n. 34. and 3d disc. n. 10. They thus provoked apostolic resistance, which, by its splendor and success, hum-bled in the eyes of the people the imperial authority. They beheld the doctrines of the pontiff exercising a solemn triumph over the edicts of the sovereign; and he, whose pastoral charges thus limited the civil authority, must have appeared competent to exercise it, the moment he ceased to disdain it. A sect was formed in Constantinople against the images, brought into disrepute in some places by the victories of the Mahometans over them. The Emperor Leo the Isaurian placed himself at the head of the Iconoclasts or Image-breakers: he published, at the same time nearly, an edict which prohibited the worship of every image, and the proposition of a new capitation-tax to be paid by the people of Italy. Pope Gregory the Second, become the defender of their _temporal and spiritual_ interests, and their faith, addressed respectful but energetic letters to the emperor, to induce him to maintain in the churches an ancient and salutary practice. Leo replied only by menaces calculated to strengthen in the hearts of the Italians their love and veneration for the pontiff. What does Gregory do? he appears inattentive to his personal danger, but implores for the people and their prince the divine mercy he thunders no anathemas, but recommends good works, and sets himself the example of them; he desires especially that each may remain faithful to the head of the empire, whatever may the deviations of Leo, and perseveres in applying to him the terms of emperor and head of the Christians.²⁷ According to Gregory, it is God himself who preserves the empire to Leo the Image-breaker:²⁸ a pontiff has no right, says this pope, to bestow crowns: his eye should not seek to penetrate into the palaces of kings: and it no more belongs to him to meddle in politics, than for a sovereign to become a teacher of dogmas in religion.²⁹ The army, the people, Venice, Ravenna, all Italy revolted, says Paul Diacre, against Leo the Isaurian, and would undoubtedly have acknowledged some other emperor, if the Roman pontiff had not himself opposed it.³⁰ Anastasius relates the same facts, and represents Gregory to us occupied in retaining the provinces in allegiance to their legitimate sovereign.³¹ ²⁷ Imperatorem et caput Christianorum. Greg. 2d Ep. to Leo. ²⁸ Vestri à Deo conservati imperii. Ibid. ²⁹ Pontifex introspiciendi in palatia potestatem non habet ac dignitates regias deferendi.......Ecclesiis præpositi, sunt à negotiis reipublicæ abstinentes.—Greg. 2. ³⁰ Nisi eos prohibuesset pontifex, imperatorem super se constituere fuissent aggressi.—Paul Diac. de Gesl. Longob.