I just started the S.E. I'm not finding them hard, really (except against Parthian missile cavalry). I took Jeruselem, Sidon, and another Egyptian town, while Parthia took Herat from me. I took that back, and reduced the armies of Parthia greatly.

Against the Egyptians, I have a very easy go of it, most battles never losing more than five percent of my army, with them losing almost all of theirs. I'm allied with Scythia and Pontus right now,though I may extend an offer towards Armenia.

My only really hard enemies, so far, are the Parthians. They overwhelm me with cataphracts, though they aren't much problem (how do cataphracts run faster than podromoia?). The real problem are their missile cavalry, which cut through my infantry like butter. Meh, but they'll be gone soon, anyway. Then, Africa will open up fully, me not having to worry much about my rear.