In addition to their armies, players now will control more aspects of their tribe, kingdom, or republic. There are civic improvements that show the real power behind successful armies.
Players can also control the level of taxation, and risk civil disorder.
At start, players can decide to choose equal numbers of civic improvements, or only ones that are historically accurate. All cities production equals their population, unless certain civic improvements are made that will increase production. Eliminate the final fraction after figuring production, it is considered bureaucratic waste. There are other civic improvements a player can make. Each has a different effect.