As the Romans trying to take North East Italy I lost a full elite army with my 5 star general and another 3 star guy along with a good governor who was due to command the city. Reformed and tried again, another earthquake as my next best army is destroyed along with my new best general (just 2 stars). Third time I had a more minor earthquake and lost 1/3 of my army and the 0 star general survived. I pressed on and finally took the city. I was close to accepting the gods didn't want me taking that place.