In both AoE1 and AoE2: No. There are strong civs and weak civs, and if you get one of the worst or best while the opponent gets the opposite, assuming equal skill, its pretty much a one sided affair. In AoE1 especially the maps are more random so you can get some nasty spots like berries with no granary being possible, although to me this actually makes the maps more interesting.
You could still play random civs anyway, just to spice it up. I think its something a good player would try to get a handle on regardless.
"Excellent could be any map that has the quality of a ES random map or ES scenario. AoK is an excellent, award winning game. That's where I'd start." -AnastasiaKafka
"Hard work is evil. Bitmaps are stupid. Working on a scenario for more than one afternoon is stupid. Triggers are stupid. Testing your own scenario is stupid. The world is stupid. You are the Greatest." -Ingo Van Thiel