To make room for all these new buildings and wonders and units, Beyond the Sword includes a handful of new technologies. In some cases, the new techs merely bridge the gap between two existing technologies. In other cases, they branch off into entirely new directions. Aesthetics, for instance, fills in the space between writing and literature and drama. Military Science, on the other hand, leads off from Chemistry and enables a few new promotions.
So Aesthetics now takes Alphabet's former position on the tech tree.
Seems Alphabet is now a dead end tech that only grants you tech trading, converting Hammers to beakers and activates the Espionage Silder.
This changes our teching strategy a bit, no longer can you get both, early tech trading and a shot at the Great Library Wonder anymore, especially on the higher levels. It's either one or the other.
Military Science is the interesting one, it leads off Chemistry. I Wonder if Grenadiers have to pushed back to Military Science?... (just speculation)
If they are it'll lengthen the lifespan of the Musketman, which was the weak point of that unit.
How will it change the teching strategy if my speculation comes true?
Will Players still make a beeline to Chemistry?
Well without Grenadiers, the Tech's only bonuses are you can Build Frigates and you gain an extra Hammer from Workshop improvement,Chemistry also opens Steel.
I can see most Chemistry Beelines will be for Early Cannons by opening up Steel and Siege Units are very important, followed up by Military Science for Grenadiers.