The armies aren't that bad. Most players with a decent half stack should be able to destroy them. These are not triple silver armies nor are they meant to be. They're simply a roadbump in expansionism that's designed to slow you guys down a bit and force you to bulk up your garrisons a bit more. I expect all of the threatened cities to be under Byzantine control by the end of this coming term. If you don't mind swallowing your pride and temporarily retreating, then it won't be anything more than a short-term problem.

Besides, this is nothing in comparison to what I really can do. Remember, now I can personally control all enemy movements. The insanity has not yet begun.