I've only played as two I beat game as germans and I'm halfway through as the moors. I tried venice and spain but never got far. As germans I beat game at 222 turn and it was pefect, just right level of challenge, slow enough to enjoy some time and pick my battles.

As moors I originally thought I could never do it. Like most even after conquering Iberian pennisula I only had like 13 provinces or so at turn 50 or 60. Once I started declaring war on some people though and building up armies I am doing fine. No need to blitz really, I find one or two cities max is plenty of units to take on one computer city if you play the battles personally.