The strongest pigment in the ancient palette was probably lapislazuli or ultramarine blue.
It was also the most expensive having to be imported from what is now Afghanistan.
Blue could also be obtained from smalt ot azurite but the peculiar porous structure of this mineral makes it work better as a pigment than as a gemstone.
So if you're thinking bright blue appeared on buildings and artworks.
Probably not unless blended with other pigments to make it go further.
The unprocessed mineral form.
Due to it being so expensive I have not have found any pre byzantine mosaics or frescos or encaustic painting that seem to be using blue that clearly derives from ultramarine.
Sometimes I've seen dark or light blues but these could be smalt or azurite blended with other pigments.
S bright garish blues ... maybe not ?
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