I personally don't think of it as cheating, but on occasion I'll turn the battle timer on right before certain battles..such as if the AI is attacking my city. It gets kind of annoying when you get those general units that just stand outside the walls. I mean, when I am beat, and I know it, I hit the w key (only once tyvm). Attacking a city for me means try to win at all costs, or withdraw and avoid casualties. The AI..well, they think that if they wait long enough ill get angry and turn off my computer, which is an AI victory.

The AI in RTW is smarter then we think