I have some questions :-)

[Jebivjetar]

Of course i blitz: just like Atraphoenix said: playing with Pahlava youre doomed if not blitzing. As a matter of fact: one stack of 6-7 horse archers+FM if available (and eventually some mercs), in my campaign reached Antiocheia and conquered much of AS in about 15-20 years. But these AS Phoenixes now live better than ever: they destroyed Pontos and having all of Asia Minor...

I dont role play: i just kill whatever comes on my way, and take whatever i can to survive, i even broked alliance with Baktria just to capture Baktra when was poorly defended. From my point of view: there is no such a thing like a "fair-play", because AI is all around you and (allied or not) it wants to harm you and your people!