I have heard tell, that there is a very extant prophecy in Islam, that everything will be wonderful when Rome falls.
As several historians have noted, this rather means that for the prophecy to come true (it is also widely believed that it hasn't yet 😀) then there must be a "Rome" that has yet to fall. Do they mean the EU ? Do they mean the descendants of Rome (the aforementioned self styled new Republic ?).
As with anything to do with religion, this is all total bollocks on the one hand. And would remain so if there weren't the credulous and the unscrupulous to direct them.
However that strain of historical reckoning also introduces us to the Rus - who were early descendants and who feel they also have a claim on what the Roman empire ruled. "Rus" ? Well you may not have heard of the tribe, but you will have heard of the country and empire they went on to found .... Russia.
Anything clicking into place now ?
When it comes to myths legends and religions, truth and historical accuracy are irrelevant. If it's what people believe, then it moves them.
(Incidentally there is a line of reasoning that makes King Charles III the latest emperor of Rome. But that's for another day).