Tips for Macedon?

[Shadow Dragon]

I've been trying to play as the Macedonians, but I can't quite get figure out a good strategy. On the latest attempt, I sent the full stack north into Celtic territory and stood them right at the corner of a mountian range. I got attacked twice, by full stackes, but was able to beat them without too much of a problem thanks to having the highground. Though the third stack refused to attack me. I even laid siege on their settlment, but it just began heading for Thrace. I would have continued trying to harrass the Celts, but my economy was in the toilet, even with high taxes and building ports. Believing the Celts were Thrace's problem for the time being, I instead used my army to attack Byzantium. After winning that battle, my economy is still in the red, but it went up by a lot after one turn. However, thats when the Celts decide to launch a counter attack and lay seige to one of my cities. Since I'm still in the red, I can't retrain any of my army and they're starting to wear down.

Any tips on what to do in the beginning part of the Macedonian campiagn would be very helpful. Thanks.

[Kara Kolyo]

Well i usually start the same way as you - crush the celts (they always send their 3 armies against me) take Sardica and then head down straight to Greece. Taking Athens, Sparta and Patras is better than going for Byzantium, since it closes one front and gives much income. After that is Thermon and the Epirote lands. Taking Crete wouldn't hurt as well.