If you keep failing to defeat early raiders, the try and keep your
 town garrisoned, for a greater success.
 
 Checking your Diplomatic Relations Chart, on regular occasions, will
 help you knwo where your battling empires are, and enable you not to
 get involved in ana alliance that will se you get several automatic
 enemies.
 
 Only build military units to a size your economy can handle, unless
 you mass them for a quick strike against some wealthy opponent.