Thanks for the welcome and the tips. Looks like I'll just have to wait till I get better barracks to really push the Selukids as hard as I want. For now its hit and run, defensive war, micromanagement of battles. It's the most fun I've had in EB in some time- a real nice challenge, having to worry whilst trying to get the economy up and running. What a chore! I think I will give the Armenian spearmen a try, though the cost is a bit tough to take.