"The Germanic invasions in the West could not and did not in any way alter this state of affairs"

This quote by Henri Pirenne is referring to the Germanic invasions of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century. Pirenne is recommending that despite the Germanic intrusions, the Roman Empire was still able to keep its political and cultural influence in the West. He is suggesting that the Germanic invasions did not have an enduring influence on the Roman Empire, which the Roman Empire was still able to maintain its power and impact in the West. This remains in contrast to the Eastern Roman Empire, which was ultimately dominated by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Pirenne's quote is a testament to the strength of the Roman Empire in the face of the Germanic invasions, and its capability to maintain its political and cultural influence in the West.