First of all there's a nasty bit of work here, in that it's impossible to get limestone, this means you can't build any large temples or oracles. Ths results in lots of little 2x2 temples, taking up lots of space as compared to the 7x7 desert blocks.
You also have to import clay.
I started out in the lake area in the West of the map, ignoring the natives for the time being.
(I will probably start planting missions there soon, though as export is limited to a bit of wine and furniture and local trade would bring extra money.)
Two blocks filled up quickly and were followed by a third and a fourth. Export was started as was some small arms industry.
Looking at the map, I decided to put a javelin fort in the middle and a heavy infantry at the NW gap in the rocks. Naturally the first invasion, some Egyptians wih a few poxy camels came from the NE.
My troops rushed over and were just in time to see Mars have fun at the Egyptians expense.
The second invasion, from the SE, was partially destroyed by Mars and saw my javelins take action. The legionairs showed up after a looong walk and I added some more peltasts near the map entry point.
Camels don't do well with javelins sticking out of them and the tortoise formation put up their shields, lovely to behold. I was just in time to meet Caesars request for weapons, which expired between the two invasions. I just started a fifth block near the entrance to start up my pottery industry. I expect to have to do some pottery import as well. The next Distant battle just sounded. ------------------
Homage to thee, Osiris, Lord of Eternity, King of the Gods, whose names are manifold, whose forms are holy, thou being of hidden form in the temples, whose Ka is holy."
-- Book of the Dead (1240 BC)