Which group of Europeans became the leaders of Western culture after the Greeks?

The Romans became the leaders of Western culture after the Greeks due to their significant contributions in various fields such as law, governance, engineering, and architecture. The Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire expanded upon Greek ideas and practices, incorporating them into their own culture while also innovating in ways that shaped the Western world.

In politics, the Romans developed a sophisticated system of governance that included concepts like a Senate, checks and balances, and codified laws, which influenced future democratic systems. In engineering, they were pioneers in constructing roads, aqueducts, and monumental architecture like the Colosseum, which showcased their advanced techniques and understanding of materials.

Roman culture also included the adaptation and spread of Greek philosophy, literature, and artistic styles, which were foundational to Western thought. Latin, the language of the Romans, became the precursor to the Romance languages and further solidified their cultural influence even beyond the fall of the Empire.

While the Byzantines preserved Greek and Roman knowledge and the Normans had their own significant impacts in certain regions, it was the Romans who laid down the primary structures of Western civilization that would dominate for centuries.