Description

The color red has a rich history across cultures and time periods. One interesting historical fact about red is its association with power, wealth, and status in ancient Rome. The Roman elite, including senators and military officers, wore togas with a red stripe, called the "toga praetexta," to signify their high social standing. This red dye, known as Tyrian purple, was sourced from the secretions of a sea snail called the murex, which was found in the eastern Mediterranean. The dye was extremely expensive and labor-intensive to produce, further emphasizing its exclusivity and association with prestige.