Some Phalanx Tactics

[ReluctantSamurai]

I've never played a game where I haven't destroyed all the Romans before the appearance of archer auxiliaries

Archer Auxillia aren't the only ones with the firepower to decimate Armored Hoplites....Cretan's, Chosen Archers, Forester Warbands, Cataphract Archers, and Chariot Archers all have the capability.

You get better results forming a horseshoe formation around your end of the bridge, and let them cross. You have them surrounded on three sides and it doesn't take much to get units to rout when faced with that. You use the same method for horse archers. Let them cross....keep your cavalry to the flanks and circle behind them, cutting off their retreat. Can't tell you how many times I've destroyed every single soldier in the opposing army by denying their retreat.

It's even more fun when you have woods on your side of the bridge, particularly if its to one side of the road. Place all your cavalry in the woods, concealing them....put the rest of your army opposite where they can be seen. The AI charges across, and turns its back to your cavalry (and if enemy generals are present, they are the first to fall to your cavalry sweeping out of the woods). It's a slaughter.....