The Colour Purple? Reconsidering the Greek Word <italic>halourgos</italic> (ἁλουργός) and its Relation to Ancient Textiles.

<italic>The aim of the present article is to reconsider the interpretation of the Greek word halourgos (ἁλουργός) and its relation to textiles and purple dye by reinvestigating its recordings in Greek epigraphy and the papyri, as well as comparative examples from Greek literary sources, in the period from the fourth century bc to the seventh century ad — thus combining the source material from ancient Greece and the Greek-speaking part of the Roman world. This will illustrate the wealth of information one can get from the exploration of one single word: not only on the significance and appearance of textiles and garments in the ancient world from Greece to Egypt, but also on the diversity of colours and the subtleties in their use and terminology.</italic> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]