What I found is that if you take all the Eleutheroi lands that border AS in the Caucasus region, they suddenly become more apt to attack.
It is not hard to contain the AS. Use spies and watch towers in Hayasdan province, so you know when an army is on the move. Because the Caucasian cities are quite close together, you can often use the garrisons of multiple cities as a defence force against the Seleukids. The cost for the defence force is thus limited.
With the Hay economy, I'd suggest laying down, and improving the Hay economy first. Ports, ports, and mines. That is why Trapezous and Sinope can be attractive targets. Kabalaka is poor, but you still make a bit of money, once you have a coastal clearing in place. Mtskheta gives you trade income, while acting as a cover for Kotais + Armavir. Basically you are getting paid to have a part of your garrison stationed elsewhere. More or less free money.
I found that more extensive use of infantry shaves of a large portion of the bills. Caucasian Archers, Caucasian spearman are quite good at their jobs. CS can pin down virtually anything, long enough to get some FMs / Kinsmen in there for the charge and rout, but they need the cavalry / infantry support else they will be chewed out. CA have a good range, and a decent missile attack value, which at the cost is a steal.
Once the Caucasus is united, go south and take Arbela, Seleukeia, and Babylon with one army, and send the other army from Phraaspa --> Ekbatana --> Susa. Ekbatana is a rich city.
You need a bit of luck in Hay games. The AS needs to be distracted by other conflicts, you need a bit of luck, that not all your family members turn out to be lazy, disloyal bums, etc.. And heaven forbid that the AS and Ptollies sign an alliance the turn after you started hostilities with the AS ...
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