I am now in Republic!
I met the English (Knutis) and the gave me Map Making for Iron Working & Horseback Riding.
With the Ottomans I agreed on a trade Republic for Polytheism, Maths & Literature.
So right now I continue to build settlers. And right after I got Literature, I will quickly build Libraries in all my core towns.
In coastal towns I started habors, as I am planning to build a dromon fleet.
Here are the demographics: