I think that adding the male economic unit will be interesting and being able to upgraded him to basic infantry or merchant class.
The economic male could be a CS via upgrade or a merchant You could have another role to play in civic matters.
What roles did men play in ancient times apart from soldier and peasant?
Try to use a small population in the settings, ~200-250.
Don't let it develop unless you want to try to contain it, don't use closed maps because it generates lag.
Try maps with arctic biomes.