Rome
Carthage
Greek City States
Macedon
Seleucid Empire
Ptolemaic Empire
Baktria
Armenia
Pontus
Saba
Gauls
Germans
Iberians
Thrace
Parthia
Scythia
Massalia
Syracuse
Cyrenaica
Epirus
Pergamon
Bosporan Kingdom
Galatians
You must seriously have martial law buildings, even if you havn't build them yourself, the AI sometimes do. Be sure to check in every settlement where you can't upgrade or builid a temple because I've never used martial law and the only problem I have with economy is getting the "corruption" and "extravagant" traits(from having to much of it).
Greek Cities and Macedon, of course
My Sabean campaign is epic. Imagine this: The three most powerful factions in the game are allies, since they have no desire to expand any more... Well, at least into each other's territories... YET.
I have all of egypt, all of eastern Turkey and the middle east, and all of Saudi Arabia. I'm just now dealing with Parthia and Baktria. Baktria is no problem, but Parthia is a major problem on normal open field battles. Though Sabean archers SEEM a highly logical choice, they cannot simply deal with the Cataphracts that Parthia is fielding. Not in large numbers, anyway. And throwing Temple Guard at them is simply moronic due to the lack of shields... So I'm having to rely on Sabean Heavy cavalry. Any other tips to give? Money is no object since my economy is perfect... At least while that 89 year old jew of mine is still faction leader... Btw, he's perfect for leading a large faction, since he's such a good guy. One of his traits is -5 to disorder, and that's not from being the great Malak or being the Perfect Ideal of the Chosen People. I really chose well with this guy.
My plans include leaving Seleucia alive until I take care of Parthia and Baktria to secure total victory, since their goals are pretty much the same. It shouldn't be difficult once I overcome Parthia's cavalry. How they have the resources to field that many, despite being AI, is beyond me. Oh well. I make 100K a turn with full armies and half full garrisons, so I'm set. I got room for when my leader dies and corruption starts spreading... I hope. His blind son is a great candidate though...
Best faction was bactria
enough was said