Spartan Dux Crimson

Greek Spartiátēs, of Sparta — adjectival suffix referring to the Lacedaemonian warrior city. As a color modifier, spartan implies a saturated-and-disciplined-and-formal quality, the deep-rich color of Spartan-hoplite military-class crimson-and-bronze armor-and-cloak. Sits at the bold-and-formal end of the grid, parallel to austere and stern in tone.

Latin dux, leader-or-general. As a color modifier, dux implies a Latin-leader-and-Roman-general-and-Doge quality, the visual register of Roman-dux-and-Venetian-Doge hand-Latin-leader-and-Roman-general-and-Doge Roman-dux-and-Venetian-Doge-and-Renaissance-condottiere dux-and-Latin-leader surfaces under Roman-dux-and-Venetian-Doge-and-Renaissance-condottiere Republican-Rome-and-Venetian-Doge's-Palace leader-and-general-light. Sits at the modifier-and-Latin end of the grid, parallel to pater and virtus in usage.

From the Old Spanish cremesin, itself from the Arabic qirmiz — the kermes scale insect, dried and ground into a brilliant carmine dye prized in the medieval Mediterranean. For centuries the most expensive red on a draper's shelf, reserved for cardinals, kings, and the cloth that gave English the word crimson. Cooler than scarlet, deeper than rose; the color of pomegranate seeds and a serious occasion.