This question refers to historian C. Warren Hollister, who talked about Rome's enduring influence in his book Roots of the Western Tradition (1966).
Three areas in which Hollister saw Rome's enduring influence in Europe were:
1. Administration: Roman administration survived through the organizational structure of the Church. The ecclesiastical 'dioceses' and 'provinces' came originally from the division of the Roman administrative units.
2. Language: The Latin language remained in use for many centuries (particularly among the high classes). It also left a legacy in Romance languages.
3. The concept of an empire: The idea of a powerful empire was very pervasive in history, influencing leaders such as Charlemagne and Napoleon.