Poor infantry is why I don't play as Parthia. Well, if they were set well for money I probably would, but the money is what kills my Parthian and Barbarian campaigns. Interesting idea, bribing, but that requires money, and Parthia does not have that. Even when I play on E/E, I still can't get a Parthian campaign to go anywhere. Which now has me wanting to try one again. The temple is not that big a deal, although I don't know what it gives. I usually favor a temple that gives money first, second improved weapons, third good units. That is my temple order.