Final answer:
The quotation suggests that Rome has consistently influenced European empires in terms of inspiration, imagery, and vocabulary. Rome's cultural, political, and architectural achievements have had a lasting impact on these empires, shaping their identities and influencing their operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quotation from Pagden suggests that Rome has consistently been a source of inspiration, imagery, and vocabulary for the European empires from early-modern Spain to late-nineteenth-century Britain. This means that the concepts and ideas associated with Rome have influenced the ways in which these empires operated and presented themselves. For example, the Roman Republic and Roman Empire provided a model of political organization and engineering that influenced the idea of a united civilization in Western Europe.
One example of Rome's influence can be seen during the Renaissance, when scholars turned to the works of ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. They sought wisdom and guidance from these classical civilizations in various fields, including language and art. Another example is the Catholic church's efforts to rebuild Rome and create grand architectural visuals that symbolized its power and grandeur.
Overall, Rome's cultural, political, and architectural achievements have left a lasting impact on European empires, shaping their identities and influencing the way they operated.