Question about Rome and Roman Empire

[jenny-jade.livejournal.com]

It confused me a long time and I haven't got the answer yet. So I tool my courage to ask the vast Hetalia community:

In Hetalia, is it Rome is Roman Empire? Or they're 2 different persons?

Well based on Hetalia Book 1, this is Roman Empire:


But in Chibitalia, this is Rome:


As I can see, depending on how different author's drawing become, I can't see as they are one person. Because it's said that Roman disappeared as he's still young. Well, he did reappear in front of Germany in his youth state. So I think there're 2 person, one is Ancient Rome (who took care of Chibi!Italy) and another one is Roman Empire who is descendant of Rome. Italy is Roman Empire's grandson, and of course, he also descendant of the Great Granpa Rome.

I just based on the English translation I read. How's about your opinion?