Final answer:
Italy was considered to be diverse during the founding of the Roman Empire. Rome itself was a multicultural society with citizens from various regions. Citizenship, not race, determined one's status in Roman society.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the founding of the Roman Empire, Italy was considered to be diverse rather than homogenous. The area known as Italy was originally colonized by people from various regions, including Greece, the Mediterranean, and the Celts from the North. The Etruscans, who controlled much of North and Central Italy at the time, eventually assimilated into the Roman society. Rome itself was a multicultural society, with citizens from Africa, Turkey, Germany, and other regions. The key factor determining one's status in Roman society was citizenship, not the color of their skin.