Ok, so we've got a problem. Below is my first 5 turns - read more to find out what we've just gotten ourselves into.
Turns 1-2:
These turns were mostly troop movements to prepare for the coming war with Greece.
Gilgamesh offered us this trade, and since it was fair, I went ahead and took it:
Also, Justinian canceled our deal for trading wine for gold...apparently his war with Sitting Bull has made him broke.
Speaking of money, our great merchant arrives at Istanbul, and gets us 1350 gold. Also, he does a little spying and finds this:
A nice big stack of doom. Apparently we're not the only ones preparing for war.
Turns 3-4:
Bismarck asks us to join him in the war against Sitting Bull. I almost accept a phony war, since our friend Justinian is also fighting against Sitting Bull, but I decline since we're about to enter another major conflict.
We also finish the University of Sankore in Paris. Not really sure of what to work on next, I start working on Notre Dame; it seemed appropriate, not to mention the happiness boost will help out if we get it.
By the end of turn 4, our troops are ready:
I pull a double-anarchy, and switch to slavery and theocracy - slavery to whip any additional soldiers we might need in an emergency, and theocracy for the experience boost.
And with that, I declare war on Pericles. However, in between turns 4 and 5 I get this nasty surprise:
Apparently that big stack of doom I found in Istanbul is meant for us. I'm thinking of taking Athens as quickly as possible, brokering peace with Pericles, and fortifying there to hold off Mehmed's attack.
Turn 5:
Our first stack reaches Pharsalos, and burns it to the ground - we lose a trebuchet and two swordsmen in the assault:
The reason I stopped here is to get any further guidance on any changes we should make to the war plan since we're at war with two AIs now.