Ancient Jewish art

Ancient Jewish art, refers to Jewish art created prior to the middle ages. characterized by symbolic or figurative motifs, with portrayals often influenced by biblical themes, Judaism as well as the local power of the time be they the Egyptians or the Hellenistic and later Roman empires. Concentrated in the Levant region, during the second Temple period and in late antiquity, the biblical commandment avoidance of figurative or symbolic painting was gradually ignored in part due to the influence of Christianity. Symbols such as the Menorah served as both artistic as well as national symbols of Jewish identity, growing more acute after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.