Right, here we are.
I took an executive decision to deviate from the dotmap order when I discovered Iron up by the Wines, especially as Cleo's headed in that direction too.
Barbs didn't do any damage to us, Cathy and Brennus et al helped out some. We still got our licks in, and got an Elite Horse and 50g into the bargain.
Anyway, here's the turn log:
0 1000 Check deals, nothing open, so press space and get on with it.
IT: Nea Horse->Horse. Barb Horses don't advance on Pisae.
1 975 Send Nea's Horse towards Ravenna. Found Hispalis, start Worker. The Warrior in the NE finds more Iron.
IT: Barb Horses busy themselves with Cathy's forces.
2 950 Lux to 10% for Veii. Still running a high loss, but the Barbs haven't hit so far. Use Rome's Horse to take out a Barb Horse that may well have disconnected our Ivory in the IT.
IT: Celts complete Pyramids. Goody, they'll hose their GA. Loads of Barb Horses emerge near Pompeii.
3 925 Switch Nea to Archer for Barb defense. Fortify 2 Horses on the Ivory, move the Horses near Pisae back but they'll be slow getting there (they'd been stationed on the mountain).
IT: Rome Horse->Horse. Veii Settler->Settler. Nea Archer->Horse.
4 900 Lux down to 0% again. Kill all 4 Barb Horses round Pompeii, one of our Horses is now Elite
My wife finished dinner and I took a break
IT: Rome riots - moving the Horse out and 0% Lux was a bit much. :bang:
5 875 Not much, moving troops.
IT: Celts boot us. Antium Settler->Worker.
6 850 Lux to 10% for Rome. Disband a Barb camp. Celt explorer was booted west, useful, can explore the jungle/swamp.
7 825 Zzz.
IT: Cathy demands 25g, she gets it.
8 800 Cathy's sending a Settler pair towards a free space, possibly, so I plonk Eddie there to stop her settling. Taxman hired in Hispalis to prevent a riot.
IT: Rome Horse->Horse. Nea Horse->Horse. Celts complete Oracle, GA-inspired no doubt. Iron connected.
9 775 Sci dropped so we're making a profit. We only had 42g after Cathy's demand, I wouldn't like to get caught out IT by, say, Brennus.
10 750 Lutetia founded (Purple dot). Bad news, there's a Barb camp a bit close. Starts Rax, it's already at 2spt so won't grow in time to get a Worker out. Disperse a Barb camp for some much-needed gold. Lux to 20% for Rome.
Screenie/dotmap:
Next player, expect tribute demands (or worse) from Brennus, he's in his GA and may well be after a fight sooner rather than later.
My main reason for going for the Wines/Iron site, is that Pisae will most likely lose control of the Wines square, if it ever gets it. They're at the same distance from the Russian city, and the Russians will certainly out-culture Pisae. Securing Luxes is, IMO, a top priority.
Neil.
First do an intelligence estimate and try to find out who's got iron. If the idiot pyscho genes are correct, the AI to the west/south have it, the AI to the NE don't. Split our offensive production into halves: the NE gets legions and practical stone throwing devices. The west/SW gets four legged fast movers. I know dividing forces invites defeat in detail, but I don't think the AI is that smart. 
