Can anyone reccomend a faction?

[Jurdagat]

I can say Hayasdan is extremely fun if everything turns out well, I'm doing it on H campaign difficulty.
Early years are hectic to say the least.
They have no infantry that stands out, but get some awesome cataphracts to help out.
Also the reforms keep the game refresshing, and it felt great to finally make a decent persia influenced army when Persian Hoplites became available.

If you have a well balanced army, every battle can be interesting.
Unlike other factions who have a lot of strong infantry, and you can have that "I can go on forever before replenishing troops" feeling.

My empire stretches from Persepolis to Memphis, and Pontus has been left alone as a faithfull ally.

Even now in 170BC the campaign is interesting, as Bactria is winning against me around susa and persepolis.
Need to fear the "Hetairor Kataphraktoi"!
I was forced to send my army protecting the Caucasian mountains to assist, leaving the entire place undefended.
This is at a point when I'm getting the feeling that Pontus will break their alliance with me, but I currently gave them a nice tribute to keep them from the temptation.

I got a bit carried away.
However it doesen't seem to fit to your preferences that you listed, but I really hope you can give it a thought at least. :)