Nice result!

What were the map parameters?
Thanks, TT.
Map was standard, continents, 60% water, warm, wet, 5 billion years.
Did you preselect opponents?
Yep, Korea, Sumeria, France, Ottomans, Greece, Babylon.
And is MA Middle Ages (I presume) or Modern Age? What, do you think, was the reason for there being no war?
Modern Age. I decided on the minimal military approach early on when I discovered that I had no Iron or Horses, then later when I found that I had no Salt it just continued almost by default. I wasn't safe from destruction until I got Infantry (I had rubber, which apart from two lux's was the only native resource that I was given), and then I couldn't have mounted an offensive war.
I've pondered on the reason for no war; this was my first experience of such a game (although I've since played one almost identical to it, but on a large map) so it's too early for anything more than speculation, but there was a pattern over the two games. In a 'normal' game all we want to do is win, so we hoard our resources or sell them high, we guard our tech leads like a jealous lover, if we want a resource we take it by force. In a HOF game, winning isn't enough - you want to win as early as possible. So I traded my lux's, willingly sold my techs, traded for everything I needed. With the game so awash with money, the tech-pace moved on quickly. And when it lagged in the Industrial Ages (you know, that frustrating bit where we have to wait around whle everyone else researches Fascism etc) I gifted where necessary; can you imagine gifting RP's all around, just so they'll research Refining for us instead? And gradually everyone became 'Gracious'.
The second game differed only when I had to go on the offensive to get Uranium/Aluminium - it was evenly distributed so there was none to trade.
I was not denying that it is impossible. I was trying to say that playing DG builder style is often not a good idea. This does not equate that it is always wrong or infeasible.
I'd go so far as to say that it always not a good idea unless you are gambling on an early finish; at any stage - in either game - I could have been destroyed by my neighbours, and that remained true until 'Tanks' at least. That just isn't sensible.
BTW Buce, don't you want to join this game? We sure can use a player like you!
Maybe. I've become a bit frustrated with SG's, but this one is tempting.... let me think about it awhile.