I've got to first place a number of times. Like others have said, it's more a case of winning later rather than earlier. However, I'm wondering if anyone has ever managed to finish last on the leaderboard.
I played a game a few weeks ago where I founded my first city, and built 1 warrior which i sent out. a turn later, an aztec warrior approached my city from the other side and offered peace that turn (which i accepted). The next turn, they declared war and took over my unprotected city. In all, from founding the city and building a 1st warrior to losing took 2 or 3 turns, yet i still finished about 4 places from bottom in the leaderboard! Is it possible to finish any lower?