Numidia in RTR mod

Hmmm, the RTR considers Numidia to be the hardest faction. So, after a 6-month break from RTW, I give it a go in the RTR mod on vh/vh. Strangely, I am having a jolly easy time.

As a strategy, I stayed away initially from the costal cities, concentrating on the cities south of me. The Cartagenians are attacking me every 2 turns in Cirta (I believe), but their armies are half-stacks of phalanx type troops, that are easily defeated by a combination of skirmishers, lybian spearmen and cavalry. Also, I seem to be the richest faction in the world!

Now, it may be still early in the game -- only about 20 turns have gone by, but I was expecting to have my balls delivered to me as Numidia and that is far, far from happening. What am I doing wrong? I need a challange!