I dont think KH is so hard if you are prepared to lose Athens for a few years if necessary. Obviously it better to hold onto it, but Maks should lose so much in trying to take it, you can even turn this into a temporary advantage...

Its easy to build up economically on the islands and so long as you hold Sparta you should have decent troops as well.

I think I might give Saba a go now after reading the above, using Elephants and light troops to conquer Egypt sounds kind of fun...

Does Saka Rauka have more trouble holding onto places than most factions, due to revolts etc?