Alright, I'm now certain my way of playing Rome: Total War isn't going to work very well. I'm very offence-oriented, and i find myself doing the following often:

1) I can't seem to get myself to use any other formation besides a single long line of infantry units with calvalry on the flanks and skirmishers in front. I'm overly careful to avoid being outflanked. This formation is getting old. Fast. Someone please give me some reason to ease my fears. A strong push at the enemies' center would also be effective, as the remaining flanks would be divided and discouraged, correct?

2) I always send my calvalry ahead to chase down the enemies' skirmishers and try to do as much damage as they can. They take VERY heavy casualties. Should I keep doing this, or should I keep them guaring the flanks until the infantry forces meet?

3) With phalanxes, I try to get my infantry (still in a line) to turn them around and attack them in the back while pounding them with ranged fire and not using calvalry for anything else then guarding the flanks. This takes a lot of micro-management as far as infantry goes and makes it less of a coordinated battle and more of a each-unit-for-themselves melee. Any better options?

4) Horse archers. What to do besides try to bait them into one of my other units?

Anyway, thanks for reading. I really need to try new tactics...