[CPLX]

It was created by the descendants of the Romans, in the same physical location as Ancient Rome, and based on the numerous examples of letters that were still around on Roman buildings.

If that is “no connection” what exactly would a “connection” look like?

[WillAdams]

Look up the history of how Stanley Morison and Victor Lardent created Times New Roman for _The Times_.

The connection you are looking for is covered by Fra. Edward Catich in his books, and carried forward digitally in Carol Twombly's Trajan.