I finally decided to go to war - I had 6 cities and was getting behind I think in production/commerce capabilities. Athens on Marble was still very strong, and Sparta was a monster city up there by Egypt, running 10+ specialists. One commerce city by the Gems, and the rest were production.
Nearing rifling, I built 10+ trebuchets, then with rifling, I built about 10 rifles quickly, and declared on Hannibal. Hannibal had his main stack right on mty borders in the Wine city on the coast, so I took most of his troops out without leaving my borders. I quickly took 5 cities including Carthage, leaving him 6 I think, and then I decided to vassalize him for the trading partner and so I could move on.
I then built up for Darius, but a few turns before I was ready (I just got Assembly Line), Brennus declares on me, the fool. With Infantry vs. Muskets and Longbowman, I don't even need seige any more. I take 4 cities including Elephantine and Vienne, and capitulate him. Darius and Rameses declared on Brennus in the middle of this, and Darius took one northern city.
Now I'm at peace again and almost at tanks. Took a look at wonders, and Darius has: Statue, Gardens, Notre Dame, and a couple of others. But those 3 continent-wide ones are must get, so as soon as I have tanks I'm taking him out.
I'm a little worried about Julius, his military + production are half again as big as mine, he's somewhat close in tech, and he took a barbarian city just north of Athens, and founded a city next to the copper on the west coast, so I have some border pressure. But I converted to Buddhism + OR during a golden age and spammed missionaries so he's now and Friendly.
But if I can keep him at friendly, it should be little problem scooping up Darius, then Rameses, and then maybe starting on Asoka for the Domination win. Its around 1820, hopefully I can finish this in the next 100 years or so.
