While waiting for the version of RI to go live, I've been playing with the brilliant Crusades scenario.
Here's a perverse variant on that to share with you all.
This version posits an alternative history in which the Zealot revolt never happened - instead, Judea remained a loyal province of Rome an managed to preserve its identity and neutrality through the conversion of Constantine and the Great Schism with the Eastern Church.
The Diaspora - the result of trade and diplomacy rather than eviction - has helped ensure ties between the small kingdom and the heirs to the Roman Empire which had protected it. Thus it has flourished, enjoying the technological and social advancements found in the most advanced European states.
However, with the rise of militant Islam, Judea is approaching a crises and has sought the support of Western Christian kingdoms. They have provided a variety of military units to protect the Holy City of Jerusalem, but soon they will have enough to contend with themselves with threats from within and without Europe will see the rise of new Empires to rival the Glory of Rome.
In this save file, you are the tiny Kingdom of Judea (in place of the Kingdom of Jerusalem), surrounded by nations that hate you - not just the Arab states but many of the Eastern states as well.
How long can you maintain a Militant Jewish State, and can you unite the Diaspora into a great Empire before the Mongols arrive?
Difficulty level is only Monarch, so most of you should ace this unless you choose to use non-optimal Civics to stay within the intent of the scenario.
Advantages:
• Your 3 main starting cities have most of the buildings that 1000-year-old cities of the time should have, including Aqueducts, Theaters and Synagogues. Each also has at least one Great Historical Rabbi to pump up some resources.
• Solomon's Temple still stands (well, Herod's actually), and generates a substantial revenue from the Diaspora. You will soon be very rich.
• You have all the same Technologies that the Western states have, including Church Architecture, Guilds, Sanitation and Rudder.
• You have Open Borders with most Western Christian states and a good relationship with Rome.
• Most of the starting resources have been developed, but there's still lots to build so you'll need some Workers.
• You also start with a number of Rabbis, Jewish Inquisitors, Diaspora Merchants and Spies - use them wisely!
Disadvantages:
• Although you can build the Crusader-type castles, since Christianity is not your state religion, you can't build the special Crusader units (Hospitalers and Templars etc).
• You are surrounded by hostile enemies, and if you maintain a Militant religious stance, you may find your relations with other states declining (be careful how you use those Inquisitors!).
• Stopping the spread of the other Religions in your cities will be an uphill climb, especially as you expand.
Other changes:
• Constantinople starts with a better Castle.
• The land connection in Siberia was restored, so the Mongols will have the ability to invade in that direction, too (not sure if this is an Advantage or Disadvantage).
Have fun!
http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=21258
...I need pagan inquisitors! No, just kidding, would be kinda ahistorical 
