Something seems to be working!!! I WON.
Took your suggestions and got a medium map! (No wonder I was beaten yeseterday, choosing a tiny map and 2 enemies. Stupid.)
And this time, Peter, I was Yammy! And had Macedonian enemies. (Yesterday, I was Phoenician and had Assyrian enemies. And what was worse, yesterday I thought I would be smart and set the game settings to begin in the Iron or Bronze age - can't remember which. But it was a huge mistake.) Today I began in the Stone Age and with default resources.
I had lots of wood, fish, berries, gold, and stone. (Played Continental map.)
And I created worlds of archers and cavalry. And then I did what you did, haiku, I upgraded them as much as I could. Went into Bronze and got these glorious composite bowman.
Then sent my scout ships around to shoot their buildings near shore, and my 4 stone throwers came lumbering over the narrows to blow up some things, and then I claimed all the ruins. And stationed cavalry and composite bowman around each to guard as the clock ticked.
I could feel my heart beating as the time for holding all the ruins lessoned. I was so afraid something was going to happen and the enemy would charge and get one of them and then we'd have to start all over.
But it worked out just fine, and when it said "You are Victorious!" I felt wonderful. Still can't quite believe I pulled this one off.
I worked fast and didn't let up. I am tired, but happy.
Thanks to everyone for your ideas. This is just the best game ever.
I love playing Yammy. I think what I learned today is to keep all my villies chopping and picking and mining, and then just get as many archers and cavalry as I could, upgrade, and then go forth.
Sara