Well, at the time, I was thinking the "Wisdom" gained by whomever managed to survive the rather apocalyptic Late Age.
So, nations by that time would have been defined by having smarter, rather than more powerful tactics, hatred for demons, undead, illithids, etc. and generally being slightly less evil.
The Dawning Age was supposed to low on humans, with lots of prehistoric creatures and cultures, very strong Independents, and very powerful, but less subtle, magic.