"They tolerate warmongers?"
I played an easier game just to get the feel. I couldn't resist the temptation to try out those Siege Towers. They're pretty powerful, but they work like Battering Rams. So I ripped through one civ and started on another when Maria denounced me. When I took her last city there was that message about them tolerating warmongers. I'm pretty sure I saw a bright red diplo hit with her on the very first DoW. I don't know what to make of that.
Anyway, the lack of gold is the biggest shock. I tried to get a cargo ship out quick and it got raided by barbs about four turns later. Speaking of barbs, I saw barb horsemen and swords. I didn't expect that.
The other mistake I made was testing Liberty. I knew better and did it anyway. The AI all went tall and and wonder-crazy. Maria goes for the Oracle like Pacal.
What else. Oh, the gold from plundering caravans during war is pretty good.