Tyrian Purple
The Dye of Emperors
Online Lecture
SNAPSHOT
Lecturer: Dr Eireann Marshall
Date: Monday 23 June, 2025
Duration: 1 hour
Start Time: 7.30pm AEST | 7.00pm SA | 4.30pm WA | 9.30pm NZST
Price: $25 AUD
WATCH ON DEMAND
Can't make the date above? Don't worry... this lecture is recorded, allowing you to watch and revisit at your convenience for up to 30 days. Simply sign up below and we'll send you a link one hour after the lecture is held.
overview
Known as the dye of emperors, the vivid and luxurious Tyrian purple was one of the most prized substances of the ancient world.
Painstakingly extracted from carnivorous sea snails known as murexes, this rare and labor-intensive dye became a powerful symbol of prestige – adorning the broad stripes of senatorial togas, the robes of triumphant generals and the garments of emperors and elites. Even the name of its original producers speaks to its legacy – the Phoenicians were so renowned for their production of the dye that the Greeks named them after its vivid hue. Tyrian purple left a mark not just on fabric, but on identity and empire.
Join historian Dr Eireann Marshall for a journey into the world of Tyrian purple – a story of innovation, identity and status woven into the very fabric of ancient civilizations.
YOUR EXPERT LECTURER
Dr Eireann Marshall is an Honorary Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. Raised in the Veneto, she was educated in Barnard College, Columbia University, in New York, as well as the Universities of Birmingham and Exeter in England, where she has lectured.
She has published a number of articles on Ancient North Africa, and co-edited volumes on ‘Death and Disease in the Ancient City’ and ‘Women’s influence on Classical Civilisation’. Eireann’s current research interests include the reception of classical art, as well as concepts of ethnicity and race in antiquity.
With her vast lecturing and guiding experience, Eireann has in depth knowledge of Italy and its history and archaeology. Eireann has led many tours, including several to Ravenna, Venice, Pompeii, Sicily and Tunisia, and is bilingual in English and Italian.
BOOKING
If you have a Lecture Package code or Voucher code, please enter this once your arrive on the payment screen below.
You will find it on the right hand side after filling in your personal information.
HOW IT WORKS
Our online lectures are hosted on Zoom, a free online education platform. If you don’t already have an account with Zoom, you will need to sign up at www.zoom.us. When joining our online lectures, you will not be able to join with video or audio.
An online booking is required, made above. Each booking is for one computer screen use, not per person. Our online booking system is powered by Stripe, with secure payment processing that accepts all major credit cards. A confirmation of purchase will be sent to your email including a Zoom link, along with a reminder email sent 2 hours before each session.