THE BLACK NOBILITY: 17th century busts from Venice and Rome.

Please note that “Mediterranean” refers to LOCATION, not ethnicity or skin color…

The black nobility or black aristocracy are Roman aristocratic families who sided with the Papacy under Pope Pius IX after the Savoy family-led army of the Kingdom of Italy entered Rome on September 20th 1870, overthrew the Pope and the Papal States, and took over the Quirinal Palace. The Black Nobility had existed for centuries, originating in the baronial class of Rome and in the powerful families who moved to Rome to benefit from a family connection to the Vatican…