Really cool nuance of the real world is that it appears to be infinite in every possible direction. Dead ends only seem to appear when you've got the wrong idea about something.
Often spend time turning over the idea that history isn't completely accurate in my head.
It occurs to me that there are multiple "lineages" which can be traced through the world. The lineage of empires tends to dominate historical perspectives, concerning which specific individuals held power when and where.
There is another significant lineage which can be seen everywhere, but doesn't get the same kind of attention: the lineage of knowledge, which doesn't strictly follow the same paths. At different times different empires may custodian it's development, yet it follows wherever people dedicate themselves to the study of the world, and doesn't perish with rulers.
Never a poor use of one's faculties.