Several times throughout several stories a purple robe is used to symbolize royalty or kingship of some sort. I for one see it a lot in christianity. Jesus often is portrayed in white, but sometimes with a purple sash. Sometimes the cross is portrayed with a purple cloth draped on it. Julius Caeser is often portrayed wearing purple robes, or with a purple sash, etc. etc. you get the idea, Is it just a trend that caught on? And if so, who "started" this trend? Or is it a more logical explanation like maybe that purple dye is the most expensive and rare dye so Rulers often wanted it to display their wealth.
Or is it a more logical explanation like maybe that purple dye is the most expensive and rare dye so Rulers often wanted it to display their wealth.
This one. Tyrian purple, or Imperial purple, was harvested from snails through a laborious and unpleasant process which didn't make very much dye per snail so it was very expensive. Here's a video of the process.
Marcus Aurelius Meditations, 6th book wrote
" This purple robe, but sheep's hairs, dyed with the blood of a shellfish. "
He lived 121-180a.d.