[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

still”black”as defined by American standards.

Up until the early 20th century Italians, Greeks and most other non Northern Europeans were lumped in with blacks.

[Riverman94610]

True.I grew up around quite a few Italians and I distinctly remember a number of them who could have easily”passed”for either Negro,Mexican,Portuguese or Arab.
Of course,TELLING them that was guaranteeing a fight!