As for the Maks, they were tough and organised fighters or Mega Alexandros would never have manage to defeat Persia when they outnumbered him that much. The game starts just a while (50 years if i remember well) after Alexander's death. So they are still strong. Plus, from the begining of their kingdom they had to fight the most feroucious barbarians to maintain their northern borders and had a very efficient conscription system. So, I believe it looks logical that they are so powerful.
Sure, I know all about that, and agree with it. I'm not complaining about their power, or overpoweredness. Just wondered how or why, game-wise, they could be so powerful. Income? A bunch of starting stacks? Etc.

I've fought AS a bunch of times, of course, and they can and will send infinite stacks your way. But they have a humongous empire to support it. I just wondered how little starting Macadonia supported such a thing.