- slow expansion

- historical or at least balanced armies (elites only in king's or prince's armies, city specific armies as KH, factional core units + regional levies and specialists), I like to make reforms, like Thorakitai and Thureophoroi armies as Helenes, more organised armies as "barbarians" after many years of contact with "civilised" peoples

- FM roleplaying, giving them duties they are supposed to do, like vigorous ones have to be active, blooded and naturally born commanders command armies, peace lovers are managers, give them education - academy (or whatever you have), than commanders fight rebels, managers (by that time they already have few traits determinig their fate) start developing smaller cities, than they move to larger armies/cities, roleplay some internal strugles

- with RTW AI it is difficult but try acting diplomatically wise