The " don't bother " way is :
1 ) don't bother whith invasions , build your city behind the trees ( the southern part of the uploaded city ) . A drawbridge , 5 towers and 2 javelins squadrons firing over the water easily deal whith invaders .
2 ) don't bother whith requests , a lavish gift from time to time and Caesar is happy ...
3 ) don't bother feeding 12 000 guys , only patricians need food . A 20 luxury palaces block build after the last military event easily boost to 100 the prosperity of a >400 2x2 watered tents city .( Used the tip to win the career Massilia )
I used only the self-merging spots , avoiding ( personal criterium ) the twinned houses .
And 1 000 000 000 tents, OMG!!! :)), good humor taste, indeed. This is definitely not "civilized roman lifestyle", maybe celts and picts would like to live in tents? :)