I was playing a simple game at easy level as China, as a result of two wars with my neighbours I had expanded my borders significantly and ended up as the largest civilization on the continent and started experiencing the jelousy effect where most other civs regard you badly whatever you do.
On two separate occasions, much smaller neighbours to me started moving noticable numbers of troops towards my city, at first I ignored them as asking them to leave had the alternative was war, but then once in position they declare war and start attacking.
Now my civ was plainly larger than theirs, even considering their overseas assets, but it did occur that these happeneded when I started downsizing my fighting units and adopting a defensive posture.
I suppose it was possible that these smaller neighbours had an outsized military, maybe I should have noted the "their army is the same size as ours" warnings from The General, is this an indication that the neighbour might want to have a go ?
How do you keep smaller "mouse" neighbours in check, many of my games have been spoiled because I was unable to contain a domino effect leading up to "You versus the rest".
On two separate occasions, much smaller neighbours to me started moving noticable numbers of troops towards my city, at first I ignored them as asking them to leave had the alternative was war, but then once in position they declare war and start attacking.
Now my civ was plainly larger than theirs, even considering their overseas assets, but it did occur that these happeneded when I started downsizing my fighting units and adopting a defensive posture.
I suppose it was possible that these smaller neighbours had an outsized military, maybe I should have noted the "their army is the same size as ours" warnings from The General, is this an indication that the neighbour might want to have a go ?
How do you keep smaller "mouse" neighbours in check, many of my games have been spoiled because I was unable to contain a domino effect leading up to "You versus the rest".
For now, you'll have to defend but go on the offensive once you're certain of your military might. Strike down the AI one at a time. 
Seems like I'd been saying that a lot.... 
