As ayekides said, using the rivers is the way to win. Hold those bridges, a force of 2 phalanxes and a javelin troops with maybe a bodyguard or 2 thrown in can hold against stacks double size and more when played right. Just make a V shape and hold them at the bridge exit. Fighting rebel cities is not the way to go, you are wasting your strength while not diminishing the AS at all. It can be worthwhile taking a few of the AS cities early on while they are still weak. If you have no desire to expand in that direction then you can Exterminate, destroy every building and then move back home. This will provide some needed cash.

As for your money problem, I can only think it would be trade income and possibly land devestation from the seige. If you are going to cheat force diplomacy them then it can be worthwhile to at least auto_win attacker their stack first to send it packing from your lands. If thats not working then try easy campaign mode and/or easy battle mode. if thats still not working then your 1 year hiatus has ruined your skill and you just need to practice more and get back into the EB feel for things again. Best of luck Jikot. Stay strong until EB2 when hopefully the CAI can be calmed down a bit.