French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Romanian are referred to as "Romance languages" because they originated from Latin, the language of the ancient Romans. The term "Romance" derives from the Latin word "Romanicus," meaning "of the Romans."
These languages developed after the fall of the Roman Empire, evolving from Vulgar Latin spoken by the common people in different regions across Europe. While the connection to Ancient Greece is significant in the broader context of Western civilization—especially in themes of heroism and love, seen in Greek literature and mythology—the specific classification of these languages relates directly to their Latin roots.
The Romance languages share similarities in grammar, vocabulary, and syntax due to their common origin, making them sound particularly musical when spoken, which adds to their cultural allure. Thus, while heroism and love are nuanced themes reflected in literature across various cultures, the classification as Romance languages specifically ties back to their Latin origin.