Hares really don't need to establish an economy and can do what the Romans do; that is sack a settlement to pay off the production of buildings and units. Sometimes I play as hare and turtle. Starting off the game elimating the closest faction and then I slow down and resort to more diplomatic solutions to ensure a happy alliance. Then I build up an economy from my early warfare. I may engage in some wars but do try to end them diplomatically in order to gain territories without much troop loss. Then I become a hare towards the end and blitz my enemies with large armies that are made from my economy devolped during my "turtle" phase. When playing as the Scots I easily had armies moving in France, Germany, and Denmark.

Crusades make it easier to Bltiz if your friends of the Pope, In a England Campaign I decalred a Crusade against Leon and had 5 crusading armies go and take settlements in Spain. In less than 7 turns I had easily captured the peninsula without much trouble. Oh and to top it off my economy was booming and I had more than 1 million florins, thanks to the fact that I had alot of units garrisoned and it didnt cost me anything.

Also the Quantity over Quality isnt exactly true, I recall one battle where as England I tried taking Wales from Rebels, well during the siege my infantry was decimated in wall combat and for 5 seconds had capture of the gates. I then rushed in my cavalry, which was greatly out numbered, and took out the entire rebel force and miracoulsly won the battle.

But in games like RTW being a hare can leave you very vunerable. As Gual I immeaditly in the first turn took out a city of the Julii and eventually conquered Italy only to have, Carthage, Scipii, Spain, Germany, Britannia, and Greece trying to kill me. I gave up once the Germans began sweeping through France while the Scipii started recapturing cities. For my economy as a barbarian was too weak and the demanding upkeep of my troops did not allow me to make any defensive stands.