Yet for all this not one of them has put on a crown or worn purple as a mark of pride: The writer is referring to the fact that, in his time, that of the Roman Republic, Rome was not ruled by kings. Since purple was considered the color of royalty, Good News Bible translates worn purple as “putting on royal robes.” For the color purple, see the comments on 1Macc 4.23. Other possible models for this verse are:

• Yet in spite of all this, no Roman ever made himself king, or wore the symbols of royalty.

• In spite of the fact that they were a world power, no Roman ever put on a crown or a purple robe, making himself king.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.