Quote Originally Posted by athanaric View Post
It's probably wisest to take up a defensive position in Belgium, since your victory conditions don't require you to hold Germanic lands and you can't recruit many useful units there (unless you play as the Suebi, Gauls, or Romans, which you aren't).
Agreed, Germany isn't worth taking for the Casse. The provinces are poor; and you'll have to fight through hordes of Sweboz warriors to take them. If you aren't already at war with the Sweboz, this may be a good time to engage in some diplomacy. I find that paying other factions a token tribute (200 mnai) makes them far more reasonable in diplomacy. They'll still declare war if you have something they want, but they won't hate you quite so much. (My theory is that, like in M2:TW, diplomatic relationships with the A.I. deteriorate every turn unless a positive interaction takes place. Regular tribute, no matter how small, counts as a positive interaction.)

Whether or not the Sweboz are amenable, station a decent field army and a competent commander in Belgium. Chances are they will attack you there at some point in the campaign, and since you're their only neighbour.