Playing RTR I once played a game to the end as the Pontic. I just secured Asia Minor, fortified the passes to the Levant. Initially I took all neighbouring rebel provinces and the once held by Ptolemy including Crete, Rhodes and Cyprus. Quite nice, but sometimes a bit boring, to play a strictly defensive campaign. I also managed to bring Sarmatia, Armenia and Seleucia into protectorates. Ofcourse I lost the game since I didn´t hold enough provinces but it was educating.