Ermioni

During the classic era Ermioni was well known for its shipbuilders and also for the production of porphyra or Tyrian purple, a very important red dye. It is a secretion produced by several species of predatory sea snails in the family Muricidae, rock snails originally known by the name 'Murex'. In ancient times, extracting this dye involved tens of thousands of snails and substantial labor, and as a result, the dye was highly valued. This dye was used for the colouring of the uniforms of many armies including that of Alexander the Great.