I'd recommend something like Baktria or Ptolemies or Carthage - they aren't too difficult and you can make money without too much hand-wringing. Romans too really. Most barb factions either start in a fight or with few trade partners or in an isolated place, and can be fun to build up too, but take a little getting used to under EB's economic changes (since it's not so easy for them to support troops unless you are careful). Oh yeah - welcome aboard!