My blog post of October, 2024, concerning Jewish soldiers in the army of Imperial Rome – “In the Service of the Empire” – includes a depiction of a Jewish soldier of ancient times by famed illustrator Ephraim Moses Lilien. Central to the composition and distinguishing it as Jewish-themed art is the soldier’s shield, which is adorned with a Star of David.
As I explained in the post, assuming that Lilien intended his drawing to specifically portray a Jewish soldier in the army of Rome, the use of a Magen David as motif – however moving and evocative – is almost certainly historically incorrect. The adoption of the Magen David by and identification with the Jewish people was, I think, a rather gradual process, and only occurred and accelerated after the height of Roman Imperial Power.
You can learn how the Magen David became associated with the Jewish people via Unpacking Israeli History at The Times of Israel, via the April 11, 2025 podcast, “What does the Star of David really mean – and how did it become the symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity?“, by Noam Weissman.
Enjoy and learn!