I. Lit., the purple-fish (cf.: “bucinum, murex, ostrum),” Plin. 9, 36, 60, § 125 sq.—
II. Transf., purple color, purple, Plin. 9, 37, 61, § 130: “violae sublucet purpura nigrae,” Verg. G. 4, 274: “certantem uvam purpurae,” Hor. Epod. 2, 20; Dig. 32, 68 fin.; also, a spurious purple color, prepared from berries (cf. Plin. 9, 41, 65, § 140), Plin. 16, 18, 31, § 77.—Like aurum, gemmae, etc., to designate any valuable object, Plaut. Most. 1, 3, 128; Lucr. 5, 1423; Hor. C. 2, 16, 7: “purpuram marinam,” Vulg. 1 Macc. 4, 23.—
B. The purple, i. e. purple cloth, a purple garment: “purpura plebeia ac paene fusca,” Cic. Sest. 8, 19: usque ad talos demissa purpura, i. e. the praetexta, id. Clu. 40, 111; Quint. 1, 2, 6: “lectus eburneus, auro ac purpurā stratus,” Suet. Caes. 84.—Esp., of the purple garments worn by kings and magistrates: “purpura Pompeium summi velabit honoris,” Ov. P. 4, 4, 25: “regum,” Verg. G. 2, 495.—Cf. in plur.: “purpurae Laconicae,” Hor. C. 2, 18, 8; Quint. 8, 5, 28.—Hence,
2. Transf., a lofty station, high dignity: “omnis Latio quae servit purpura ferro,” i. e. all kings, Luc. 7, 228: “purpuram sumere,” i. e. the sovereignty, Eutr. 9, 8; Capitol. Max. 14: “adorare purpuram,” i. e. the emperor, Amm. 21, 9, 8; Cod. Th. 6, 24, 3; Cod. Just. 2, 8, 6; 12: “septima purpura,” the seventh consulate, Flor. 3, 21, 17: “tertia Latios renovārat purpura fasces,” Sil. 11, 112: “jamque novi praeëunt fasces, nova purpura fulget,” Ov. F. 1, 81.—
