Il lessico latino dei colori e la ‘cecità’ degli antichi verso il blu

Abstract

This article deals with the issue of the ancient lexicon of colours, more specifically the Latin lexicon. The subject has been addressed in the past from wrong methodological perspectives and with the use of modern colour classification categories. So arose the false problem of ancient blue blindness. However, the analysis of some Latin sources shows that this colour was perceived both as a material colour for painting and as a descriptive element of (e.g.) the sea; but it was perceived as an unstable and changing colour.