Two more items.

Build forts in the mountain passes leading to Tarsus and Antioch to cover your back as you drive on the Nile. The Greeks or Pontus or both will come for you and you'll need time to gather a northern field army to repel them.

Also build an agora or whatever building that creates assassins when you get a chance. You want to kill off thoses diplomats that bribe your troops racing from one hot spot to another. And if they survive a high level killer can really come in handy.