re: Italians; what race would you classify them as? Would you go so far as to call them caucasian? I mean they

Question

seem kind of caucasian but that olive skin makes me wonder.

Answer 1

Some Italians are "Caucasian", and some are not.
Around 800 AD, the African Moors invaded southern Italy, conquering much of the land, pillaging homes, and raping the women. The southern Italians were unable to stop the moor invasion, and as a result, much of their bloodline became mixed with African blood throughout the generations.
However, when the moors arived in Northern Italy, the Northern Italians were able to fight them off and eventualy defeat them, allowing them to keep their blood line pure.

That is why there are 2 basic types of Italians.
Northern Italians, which are light complected, and have blond hair, and blue (or green) eyes, and those decended from Southern Italy, which are olive complected, and have dark hair and dark eyes.

Answer 2

As a full blooded Italian, I can answer your "unbiased" question with the utmost honesty and experience.

I have been called a Caucasian in every case and since my entire family is from Italy, I am European.

If you are wondering how Italians managed the darker skin, it is an unproven story that during an invasion of North Africa, many women were taken captive from Africa, back to the island of Sicily. They were raped and became slaves, so I am told, and the mixing of cultures began.

Since I am part Sicilian, my other family used to remind me of this event. Hence our darker skin, hair and passion.

Answer 3

I'm Northern Italian, *Torino* and very fair skinned, don't see why the colour of people is an issue to you tho. Don't say it isn't, you asked a loaded question.

Who cares what colour people are? Whether you believe in creation or evolution we all came from one pair of original parents.

Far more important things to think about in life, this is a non-issue!

Update: Greece and Italy are the oldest Southern European civilisations, our African/Indo-Asian/Caucasian heritage is more obvious. Most Europeans share our heritage.

Answer 4

Italians are Southern Europeans.

Answer 5

My girlfriend of years is Italian. She doesn't consider herself "white". She admits it herself.

White would genarally be Anglo-Saxon culture.
Italians have a European descent, but a partial African Culture too.

I hope some have read the history of Hannibal, because I'm sure many won't agree with me unless they read the history books.

Answer 6

well yes they woudl have to be caucasian. but you coudl jsut say, there is an italian race, a spanish race, a french race. theres many different races really.

Answer 7

since there are supposedly only 3 races: white, black, & asian, obviously italians would be caucasian.

my question is: why are you trying so hard to categorize people?

Answer 8

Yes. my father is from Italy and he is pale