Other factions with a strong starting economy are Rome and Carthage. While I don't know the better starting moves of Carthage, playing as Rome is, especially early on, pretty straight forward. By 237 I have as Rome conquered all of Italy, Messana and Syracuse. I have four trireme fleets (2700 upkeep each), and a cash-pile of 70-80.000 mnai. I simply can no longer spend it. My land army is two and a half full stacks big. I wonder what that would be once I conquer the Balcans, some islands and Greece.

good luck,

Andy