Lusto... whatever Iberians!

I have been testing the waters of a lot of different factions the past couple days and today I decided on Iberiansishlusotwhblah. But in the campaign by 265 BC Carthage has 5 full stacks sitting on the pennisula, was Carthage really that strong in presence at the time, I thought they were just in the process of training troops there, etc... But they have more units in Iberia than Rome has total. Also I always have trouble with diplomacy. What is the deal with any AI with modest power attacking whatever is closest to them even though they really have different plans and what ways are there to skew these results?

The programmers at CA couldn't give the AI good enough tactical or strategic awareness in order to really challenge the player. Therefore, on harder difficulties, the AI gets a ton of money and builds, builds, builds, but doesn't do much with it.

For example, as the SPQR, I usually end up fighting a long, protracted border war full of minor skirmishes with Epirus, resulting in me devastating their military, while training mine up to multiple silver chevrons. They keep pumping troops out. If I were stupid, I could march right on Tarantum, and probably win without too much difficulty, but that wouldn't make my army all that loyal, or give my commanders much field experience. When I finally take on Carthage, I usually have three stacks full of experienced legions to conquer Sicily with.