I do think that the diplomacy formula the game uses for accepting a ceasefire is skewed. As the Seleucids, I once ran the Egyptians off of the mainland, destroyed every single army they sent against me, sank their entire navy, and besieged their last stronghold (a barely-garrisoned Cyprus) with a gigantic army. Just for fun, I broke the siege and asked one of their diplomats for peace, offering a ceasefire with no tribute. I got the standard "The wise and belligerent Pharoh sees no reason to end the fighting, blah blah blah." When I resumed the siege, the Egyptian swine had the temerity to demand that I give back all the provinces I had taken from them in exchange for peace. I mean, here I am, about 3 turns away from exterminating them, and they're making DEMANDS?!?!?!? Incredible!