Need strategy help

[SnakeBit]

I recently found my old copy of Civ in an old stack of floppies and loaded it up. The graphics are weak, but the gameplay is great...just as I remembered. After 4 or 5 games I have become flustered and can't remember any of my old strategies to defeat the higher levels. On the levels up to Prince I am able to outbuild the other Civs and conquer with catapults and chariots, sometimes cannons and tanks. However, on the higher levels the AI always beats me technologically to the power units and I can't catch up.

What strategies do you guys use to maximize technology while leaving enough cash for some military units AND keep you population happy?

Thanks for any and all tips!!

--Snake

 

[Zwelgje]

I usually try to defeat the AI by destroying them before they can build advanced units. Once your chariot encounters armor, you're screwed.
Build about 20 cities with a phalanx as defense. Locate the cities close to eachother, each city working only 3 tiles and the other citizen as elvis to keep the folks happy.
Just discover the wheel (for chariots) and navigation (for sails) and then cut off research and let the cash flow in. Then you can attack with the chariots or buy cities with diplo's (as you have enough cash).
Try it, it's simple and usually works.