Tyrian purple

Abstract

Purple is one of the most prominent types of pigment famous in the ancient world, as the Phoenicians knew it and used it to dye luxurious types of clothing, which was distinguished by its bright purple colour with its varying degrees, and to them thanks to the transfer of this commodity to all parts of the ancient world

This study aims to answer these questions. Were the Phoenicians the first to know this type of dyeing? Have other peoples preceded them? What are the methods they applied in that? Did the Phoenicians really reveal this? Or did they have secrets about the techniques of this dye not disclosed? Also was purple dye made from a marine creature? Or were there other materials that were made of them and came with the same colour degree?

Ancient sources revealed that the dyeing process was tiring, costly and perhaps even disgusting for the upper classes, as slaves were mocked for this arduous task

Purple  was also considered a symbol of the luxury and luxurious life of the wealthy class in ancient societies, and a sign of class distinction between members of the people in one society.

 The Canaanites were the first to discover this colour, and they dyed it with the most precious and thinner textile, which has become famous since the second millennium BC.

Perhaps among them, the people of the Minoan civilization knew the techniques of this dyeing, which they transferred to all parts of the Aegean region. Likewise, the Phoenicians inherited this industry from the Canaanites, which they developed and then transferred to various parts of the ancient world.

Dyeing techniques differed for each of these peoples, but the target was the purple colour whose colours were dyed from red purple to dark purple to blue purple to pink purple.