In vanilla, the first step is to take Nicomedia. It will give you a decent extra supply of money to attack the armenians. When you attack Armenia, take Colchis. Build forts in the mountain passes to avoid beeing attacked later by Scythians.Dont campaign and occupy Campus_Allani, is really worthless....

Take than Artaxarta, and finish off the Armenians. You should go then to attack the Parthians, if you want, but theyr cityes are quite poor... not worht the cost... raze them to the ground and retreat.In vannila map the Caspian Sea trade is practically usseles , anyway... instead, move your attention in the west, and take Pergamum and Byzantium . This 2 town, together whith Nicomedia, will bring you a HUGE INCOME if you get trade rights whith the Greeks and the Macedonians, and the emerging Brutti.

If Hallicarnassus is rebel, take it. It will need to be developed, but it can make tons of money.

Meanwhile, block all the passes in Cappadoccia to the south of Mazaka whith forts. In vannila, forget about Seleucids...the Egyptians grow to be VERY STRONG in most of the games.

Create a expeditionary force in Sinope, ship it to Crimeea and take the town overthere. It will help you develop a true sea trade, transforming the Black Sea into a sort of Pontic "mare nostrum" Take Thrace... It is quite week at this moment.Get trade rights whith Dacia, or if you want and feel strong enough, take Dacia (Porolissum has some gold mines...).

Now, you have enough money to think of invading the southern Balkans. At this time, probably the romans are very strong. Macedon and Greeks , after fighting so much eachother and the romans, will not be such a difficult problem. Always fight battles against them personally... phalanx pikeman or bronzshields in the centre, backed by peltasts, cavalry on the flanks... sarmatians are more than usefull, as well as scythians, buy them from Crimeea... It should be easy to rout the romans, even the post-marian ones.

To kill Egypt, simply send some troops "behind the front", via ships, to Alexandria... take it, raze it to the ground, exterminate, etc, hire any mercernaryes do the same for Memphis and Thebes, and Egyptians will be half way defeated.

Succes, and have fun !