Where did they get purple dye?

Purple dye in ancient times was primarily sourced from the mucus of certain sea snails, particularly the Murex species. This dye, known as Tyrian purple, was highly prized and labor-intensive to produce, making it extremely expensive and often reserved for royalty and the wealthy. The process involved collecting and processing thousands of snails to produce even a small amount of dye, leading to its association with luxury and status.