I'm on turn 260-something in the Industrial Era. I opened by moving my warrior to the coastal deer, and not seeing any sea resources I moved my settler NW and settled on the truffles next to the river and the mountain. I settled another city on the coast to the NE on the spices, and a third city was going to go on the gems but I decided it would have a lot more workable tiles if I settled 2 tiles west and slightly south of the gems (also on the coast.) Because production was poor I opened Piety to get an early pantheon; was going to take God-King but it was already gone when I got there even tho' I got it pretty early. (usually the AIs ignore that one) So I took the culture from jungle tiles one instead. Temple of Artemis was gone already by the time I researched Archery so I didn't waste any hammers trying to get it, and pretty much the same with all the early wonders including Hanging Gardens and Colossus. (I like to get Colossus when I can and dedicate its extra trade route to send food to my capital)
Rome built the Great Library, but he didn't build any settlers and very little military, so I took Rome for my 4th city. It wasn't easy; he didn't have much military but the city was heavily fortified. But eventually I captured it with a bunch of crossbows, a cataphract, 2 or 3 galleasses that took turns bombarding the city then retreating to heal, and a privateer. By the time I captured it, he had settled another pitiful city so I didn't get genocide hate from everybody, and GL had 2 themed great works which was nice. I have built Machu Picchu and Porcelain Tower. Social policies were a couple in Piety, full Tradition, a few more in Piety (I will finish it eventually), and the Rationalism opener to unlock PT. I didn't keep going in Piety because all the good reformation beliefs went very quickly.
Persia is the runaway civ, but I'm catching up in science. He's taken the Order ideology already (quite a long time ago) and I'll be choosing one soon. Haven't decided whether to go Freedom or Autocracy. (probably Autocracy) This game is not going anything at all like I planned. 😂