This is the spiritual and creative birth of a civilization. In this phase, deep religious feeling, artistic genius, and symbolic forms emerge. The culture defines itself through myth, religion, and monumental art.
The culture expands in complexity. Architecture, philosophy, and political forms evolve. It is a time of inner growth, where metaphysical questions dominate, and a distinct worldview takes shape.
The culture becomes externalized. It loses its soul and becomes more technical, rational, and materialistic. Urbanization accelerates. Democracy, science, and finance dominate. The creative impulse wanes.
Spiritual exhaustion sets in. Society turns to mechanization and bureaucracy. Politics become imperialistic. Art becomes decadent. Eventually, the civilization fossilizes and dies, giving way to the birth of a new culture elsewhere.