Why did important Romans wear purple?

Answer 1

"Tyrian Purple," the purple dye of the ancients mentioned in texts dating back to about 1600 B.C., was produced from the mucus of the hypobranchial gland of various species of marine mollusks, notably Murex. It took some 12,000 shellfish to extract 1.5 grams of the pure dye. (copied from pffc-online.com)

Because of the rarity of the mollusks, and large quantities needed, purple dye was VERY expensive, and only upper nobility could even afford it. At different times during history certain rulers have decreed that only the ruler of the country could wear purple. As if anyone else could have afforded it.

Answer 2

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.

Answer 3

The color purple was a difficult dye to make. It required a great deal of work to collect the small bits of mucus from certain shell fish to create the dye, which was very long lasting. It was worth its weight in silver. Its use was restricted to certain nobles.

Answer 4

The Romans used a dye called Tyrian purple to make the imperial color.