09-22-2008, 12:32 PM
As in all traditional societies, people would probably shake their heads and giggle.
The prohibition against purple (erratically enforced and never universal as far as we can tell) targeted the arrogation of symbols of power. If the authorities had reason to believe that kind of thing was going on, they would take very decisive action. A senator or (wqorse) military commander parading in a purple cloajk drastically reduced his life expectancy even under quite undersatanding emperors. A barbarian strutting his stuff in gaudy finery - well, what better do you expect of him? He has no clue and obviously, no evil intent.
Keep in mind, too, that the prohibition was specific to purple dye (the colour might well have been achievable by other means) and enforced only in some cases.
The prohibition against purple (erratically enforced and never universal as far as we can tell) targeted the arrogation of symbols of power. If the authorities had reason to believe that kind of thing was going on, they would take very decisive action. A senator or (wqorse) military commander parading in a purple cloajk drastically reduced his life expectancy even under quite undersatanding emperors. A barbarian strutting his stuff in gaudy finery - well, what better do you expect of him? He has no clue and obviously, no evil intent.
Keep in mind, too, that the prohibition was specific to purple dye (the colour might well have been achievable by other means) and enforced only in some cases.
Der Kessel ist voll Bärks!
Volker Bach
Volker Bach
