Here are simpler words or phrases for each of the terms you've provided:
- Mountainous terrain - hilly land or mountains
- Unified nation - united country
- Particularly - especially
- Combination of internal factors - mix of inside factors
- Excelled in intellectual pursuits and artistic expression - did very well in studying and art
- Innovations such as the early forms of the scientific method - new ideas like the first scientific methods
- Advancements - progress or improvements
Feel free to ask if you need further simplification or clarification!