Without wanting to discourage any Skinning efforts here.

Would just like to say that the Colour Purple, is one of the 5 most common colors used in Heraldry Historically to make Coats of arms.

According to Heraldric Symbolism this is what it symbolises:

Purpure (Purple) Justice, Sovereignty, Regal(Royalty)

I personally found it appropriate fro CA to use that color for Byzantines.

Heraldry sources:

http://www.irishsurnames.com/heraldiccharges.htm
http://www.digiserve.com/heraldry/symbols.htm
http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraldry

However, if you aim for a really "authenic" look of the time for all factions, that is another story, you doing great with reskinning :)