Artistic and philosophical movements.

Artistic development has a tremendous impact on society, specialy on the
scientific and philosophy schollars. Maybe you should take into account
something akin to the ages but in the artistic and philosphical movements
context. It should frame the ambitions and needs of a given society (I hope
that I am not using any game terms and messing things) and be in some way
connected with religion (in harmony or not).
If this movements have some kind of influence in gameplay maybe you can
simulate civilizational trends like western and oriental. For example:
Renaissance - the neo-classical movements and the advent of experimentalism
(and sharp technological development) should contrast with the unified,
closed chinese empire with a confucius orientation.

P.S. Just thought of... There is a known relation between geographical,
political AND scientific dynamism. Complex geography-diversified political
organization (states and government forms)-great scientific competition and
use of knew ideas in a attempt to overcame neighbouring states, try to get
this into the game :-). (eh, eh... get too big too early and you
stagnate... yes I know you have some ways of simulating this through social
unrest)

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