The only swordsmen worth using are:
In the Bronze Age (Random Map game): Roman
In DeathMatch (Iron Age, after promoting): Choson Legions.
Any other use of those is a waste.
In Random map (Bronze Age), they require too many upgrades, too much gold and are too slow - and - great problem, they still lose to everything else: Chariot Archers, Composite Bowmen, Hoplites and even cavalry. Only the Roman ones have some chance, because the Romans can develop a tiny little bit faster and they are hitting more times before they die, so they are marginally better. It is still risky, though.
The only place where Infantry rules is Deathmatch: Choson Legions, with their 35% improved resistance, will reach the targets much more likely - then, it does not matter whether they're wounded or not - they'll deal a very good damage very quickly.
As for Greek Hoplites and Phalanx or Centurion, they're awesome, because of the speed. Still, good armies of Armored Elephants or Horse Archers, will defeat them. The Greek also have Helepolises to kill the elephants, so they are not bad. However, in a DM the Choson (or Hitite, because of catapults) are the Kings.
And in RM, well, the Greek come in a sound... last. That's exactly becuse they're a "slow" civ, with no Archers. Archers rule Bronze Age - and they have none, so... Iron Age is a mirage for them.
Life is a bitch - and the fast guys take it all
Wise_Max is the slowest player on Earth.
But Wise_Max has a lot of fun playing. So, he always wins
even when he loses the game. And he made Friends.
Is that Wise or what?...