[SunkenCiv]

Eschewing images was first practiced by the Hebrews. The image of a deity was considered to be the site of and object of worship in pagan rituals.

[dblshot]

Golden calves can get you in big trouble.

[Verginius Rufus]

According to Herodotus, the Persians did not have statues of their gods (1.131).

Whether he was accurate on that point, and whether the Persian practice was as old as the Hebrew practice, I don't know.