Can't find the thread about ERE now, but I remeber someone saying they avoided markets to keep the pop. down.

I've started the ERE & am just about to get hit by Sam's Goths & Huns, lots of them all heading for Rome. Basically I don't stand a chance, I've got one decent army to field & most of them are under strength with no weap bonuses etc.

Now the reasons for this pitiful showing on my part & fairly evident with hindsight, I didn't invest in troops as I spent all my cash (a) trying to boost my economy, (b) wasting vast amounts of wonga on city upgrades to avoid revolts.

So has anyone any idea's about how I can avoid the pop problem, other than exterminating the cities populations after a revolt? While making ALOT of cash?

Ports to max upgrade, trader, then road upgrades to highway?