In the first couple of turns it`s quite clear that we`ll need to war a lot. But since I like playing sub-optimal on immortal... I went for a peacefull game. Tech speed will be slow since everyone will be warring, so I just automated my non-capital cities and whipped whenever possible untill 200AD or something. Let`s at least give the AI a chance.
Victory condition diplo, with back-up culture.
Didn`t really record the early game as I was just building wonders and keeping an eye on diplo.
Tech path: Mining, BW, Masonry, meditation, priest, writing, alph(oracle) and then trade alp around for worker techs.
Anyway the game-plan was pretty simple. Spam wonders and keep the neighbours happy. After Oracle->Alph, I traded alph or writing to distant AI`s and gifted writing/alph to Shaka/Sur/Zara/Monte. Untill worst enemies become clear I`ll want +4 trades at all times.
Monte dowed Zara, Genghis dowed Sur.. Since Genghis & Shaka were Budhist, I bribed shaka into dowing Zara and declared as well. Game set and match!
Only got 3 other cities out, 2 sharing food with cap. I delayed lib till 1210AD and picked Democracy. I don`t have enough cities for Oxford so... put Moai/NE in cap. After democracy I beelined mass media.
Diplo is a pita as I don`t want Shaka to get too big. For UN, I want to be up against Justi. Friendly with Monte/Shaka/Genghis.
Tech situation @ +-1500AD
Built UN, but I don`t have enough votes by a small margin (have 391, need 417). But no worries, the culture back-up plan is in the works.
1806AD, city overview.
Sur vassaled to Just, Zara to Shaka.
5 turns later. Cult vict.
All warlike AI`s makes the game a bit too easy, techspeed zero.