I would prefer the first option by a lot. It takes ages for a regent AI to finish even the easiest jobs.
I am not sure we want to built archer any longer. They cannot defend and will have to be exposed on attacking with 4 nations. Legions can handle being attacked by warriors and even archers.
We may be able to postpone using a Legion for a few turns, but not for any great amount of time.
I agree in principle, but would keep the GA as far back as possible. But with four AI armies coming soon, it is probably not much longer feasible.
Germany is the blue we met, so they had archer to start with as< well as spears. I think I would go with the 333 town next and aim to take on the Germans.
With all the rivers germany sounds like the worst target. I m even unsure about when to plug in the one or two town there as they would have to take care of themselves.
I would rather go for the West (Mongolia, and the guy next to ivory)