[QUOTE=Korlon]The AI practically always decides to attack the settlement within the first three turns. If you keep the garrison small, it's pretty much definite that they'll attack very soon. Even if the garrison's large, they'll still probably attack.QUOTE]

As soon as I visit my father again and play the game once again, my first deed shall be to disband all cavalry that I can find :) now, THAT will also save me money BIG TIME, so thx... You saved my empire (well sorta, still got the problem that I'm at war with everybody and my tactical abilities are as bad as the AI's... )

This would even give me the ability to withstand KH attacks on Nicaea with just a few phalanxes (even though good ones, since KH uses phalanxes as well...) and then prepare my invasion in peace and safety.