ill
Superstar
These people don't know that Russia was a tributuary state for at least 200 years to Turko-Mongol overlords. Which is why many Russian nobilities has darker skin or oriental features. This could explain the dark skin tone.
Also Rome was destroyed by tribal nomads like the Hun's, and Visigoths. Asian and Germanic invaders destroyed Rome.
Yeah, I'm Russian so I'm aware of the influence from the Mongols/Turkish regions. I attribute the "darkness" in the paintings as a "sandy" complexion - one that you can still find in present day Turkey, Chechnya, etc. I'd still like OP (@SupremeLight) to address the psychical features that are well defined rather than his take on how dark their skin looks with centuries old paint on them.