Why are Romance languages called "romance"?

The term "romance" comes from the Latin expression "romanice," which translates to "in the Roman manner" or "in the language of the Romans." In this context, "romance" refers to a linguistic and cultural link to the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Latin began to evolve and adapt to different regions, eventually giving rise to a group of languages that share similar linguistic features and vocabulary. These languages, which became known as the Romance languages, were seen as a continuation of the Roman linguistic and cultural legacy.