Ancient Romans put a lot of effort into dressing — at least the rich ones did. Most statues, paintings, mosaics, and stories reflect what wealthy Romans wore. In fact, by looking at images of Romans, archaeologists can identify social status by clothing and hairstyles.

The tunic was the Roman’s basic garment. It was practical for workers, slaves, and children. Sheep’s wool was the most commonly used fabric. Vast trading routes, however, meant linen (from flax grown in Egypt), cotton (from India), and silk (from China) were available, too — for the rich.

Women wore a long dress called a stola over their tunics. Important men — Roman citizens — could wear a toga (white or off-white) over a tunic. Tyrian (or royal) purple togas were rare since the dye, made from a sea snail, was super expensive. Why? You had to remove a gland near the snail’s head for the dye, and it took over 8000 large snails for one millilitre of dye.

The ultimate science project would have you finding sea snails and making dye, but it would take too long and be too gory: you would have to travel to the eastern Mediterranean to harvest the mollusk (Murex brandaris), and then kill a lot of them. So why not just take a shortcut to emperor-hood?

Toga:

• Cheap purple cloth, 4 to 6 metres (1.8 metres wide if possible, but less is fine; our cloth was 5.5 x 1 m)

• Scissors

• Gold ribbon or braid

• Large white t-shirt

Laurel Wreath:

• Laurel leaves (or oak leaves, if they’re easier to find)

• Green tissue paper

• Covered wire

• Wire clippers

• Red ribbon

• Tape

Make a Toga

1. Lay the cloth out and mark a semi-circle on the fabric (we used leaves).You can fold the fabric to make it easier.

2. Cut along your mark.

3. Put on the white t-shirt and tie the gold ribbon around your waist.

4. Ask your slave (or a friend) to hold the long, straight edge of the fabric behind you.

5. Drape a quarter of the toga over your left arm and shoulder.

6. Have your slave bring the rest of the fabric to the front, under your right arm. Tuck a few folds into the ribbon and fold the rest of the toga over your left arm, or your left shoulder.

7. Ask for your laurel wreath.

Make a Laurel Wreath

1. Shape the wire into a headband that can perch on your head. Cut the length needed. Curl the wire ends inward.

2. Cover the headband wire by cutting strips of tissue paper and winding them around the wire, using tape to hold them in place.

3. Tape laurel leaf stems to the wire headband, leaf points facing the open end. If your laurel leaves lack a long stem, just tear off part of a leaf. When you’re halfway done, start taping the leaves in the other direction — all leaves should point toward the open end of the headband.

4.Tie the ribbon to the back of the headband.

5. Ask your slave to put the wreath on your head.

You’ve become an emperor for a day.

In Republican Rome, soldiers honoured victorious generals with a Tyrian purple cloak. Later, it was Roman emperors who claimed the colour to mark their royal status. This royal purple was special for chemical reasons: its deep colour and stability. The deep colour depends on what type of sea snail is used, how long the gland is dried, and how much dye is put on the cloth. Unlike other purples, Tyrian purple is resistant to soap and other compounds. It won’t fade or wash out.

The laurel leaf as a symbol of victory goes way back to ancient Greece. It honoured the winners at the Pythian Games, which were held every eight years. Laurel eventually replaced the olive branch as the victory symbol at the ancient Olympic games. Today, laurel wreaths are often given to victorious Olympic athletes. Roman generals used the laurel wreath as a sign of military victory. And like the purple toga, emperors took over the symbol.