As Persia, should one start with Pantheon (to build wonders) or Organized Religion (to build initial infrastructure faster)? Also, how in the hell do you get 8% of the world territory in time? The best I've gotten was 6.5%, usually closer to 5%.
If you can't conquer enough, get a great prophet and create great work in an inland city, if you have Great Sphynx, usually in Egypt.