Besides visual attractiveness when fresh, the value of the dyes also depended a lot on their lightfastness and water resistance. Many of the dyes used in antiq

Besides visual attractiveness when fresh, the value of the dyes also depended a lot on their lightfastness and water resistance. Many of the dyes used in antiquity degraded quickly, so the clothes had to be dyed again periodically. Tyrian purple was valued not only because it was hard to obtain, but also because the clothes dyed with it kept their color for a very long time. The next most resistant dye was the blue from indigo or woad, then the red from beetles. The other colors faded quickly.