Tyrian purple

Tyrian purple is a reddish-purple natural dye, which is a secretion produced by certain species of predatory sea snails in the family Muricidae.

This dye was possibly first used by the ancient Phoenicians as early as 1600 BC. The dye was greatly prized in antiquity because the colour did not easily fade, but instead became brighter with weathering and sunlight.

4th-century-BC historian Theopompus reported, "Purple for dyes fetched its weight in silver at Colophon" in Asia Minor. The expense meant that purple-dyed textiles became status symbols, and early sumptuary laws restricted their uses.