turn down barbarians

[Socratatus]

I don`t have any trouble with Barbs at all. Sure, they`re a pain (they should be, that`s why they are barbarians), but the advantage of having them is great. they train your men with experience and give you some much needed gold when you get their settlements. they can also help greatly influence your relations with a CS when you could use it.

In fact after a while I switched on raging barbs because they can often slow down a rival Civ that might otherwise charge ahead.

 

[Falconiano]

Barb horses.
I had one of those steal a worker, pillage a route and an important lux in one turn, then run away the next one.

Barb horses are the best addition to Civ V imho.