The Colour Purple

[DaiSho]

What was Purple to the Romans?

I know the purple trim to the Toga meant something, but I can't remember what.

Would Purple be used for troops other than Pretorians?

Ian

[philqw78]

Apperently purple was very expensive so only the richest could afford it

[lawrenceg]

The true purple dye

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrian_purple

was expensive and IIRC a purple-trimmed toga was worn by senators and a fully purple toga by emperors.

In the 4th-5th centuries AD Roman troops had coloured trim on their tunics, which according to Phil Barkers "Armies and enemies of Imperial Rome" was often purple. However, it seems likely to me that these would have been from other dyes that were cheaper and probably not as bright or resistant to fading. A mixture of red and blue yarns that would look purple from a distance is another possibility. Surviving Roman tunics from the period have trim that is muticoloured patterns or pictures , but these are not necessarily military.

[DaiSho]

A mixture of red and blue yarns that would look purple from a distance is another possibility.

Cool. Thanks for that.

So, if I'm going to paint the trim purple, and want to be really accurate, I've got to get a really really fine brush and paint red and blue stripes

In all seriousness though, thanks for the info. Interesting read.

Ian

[MadBanker]

You might want to consult the two Osprey books on roman military clothing.
Quite a lot of info in these (though much is speculation).