Lydia was a merchant of purple cloth. Purple cloth was very expensive. The reason it was so costly was that it was difficult to make. The dye for the cloth came from a shellfish. Purple dye had to be gathered drop by drop from the veins of certain shellfish found only in this area of the Mediterranean. The little bit of juice was white while it was in the veins of the fish, but when it was exposed to the sun, the liquid changed into bright purple and red colors. It took thousands of seashells to make a yard or two of purple cloth. It took a lot of work to catch enough shellfish to dye even one garment. It was a statement of status, power, and wealth in Roman times. The beautiful cloth was mainly used by members of the royal families and Roman senators who were required to have a purple band around the edge of their togas, or robes.

Lots of plants can provide the amazing colors we love in our clothes and crafts, here is an activity to explore what awesome colors you have in your own backyard! https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2017/09/nature-smash-painting-process-art-kids.html