I'm still missing the large map and raging barbarians options.
My comments on 4 variants :
1) I'm playing with the idea to go Emperor for some time.
I've played only 1 game always peace, I think that's enough.
I've played also 1 Empror game (vanilla) and lost with 1 turn to go.
A simple Emperor game is good enough for me.
2) I've managed to get all 7 religions in Madrid at Monarch + raging barbs,
large map, but I had to abandon the game because Celtia started to vassalize
one civ after the other at my continent, Brennus switched to free religion
and wasn't friendly anymore.
Maybe try to get the world in 1 religion. Civs with other religion need to be
vassalized or destroyed. You can't declare war on a civ with the same religion.
3) Looks like an ordinary AW game.
I suggest a large map at Prince level.
4) A creative civ is a must and there are only 5 of them.
Augustus, Louis or Catherine are the only good leaders.
Kublai Khan or Hatshepsut won't help much.