Taking the Lead - 580 AD to 625 AD

The first pic shows the strength of my economy - 146 Gold/turn, 128 Research pts/turn, 80 Culture pts/turn and 36 Faith pts/turn. Also note that Ethiopia has dispatched a Missionary in my direction. Is there a war of the religions in the making?
More construction: a Shrine in Cameroun, a Galleass in Oran and a Horseman in Carthage where my first Galleass has arrived.

595 AD: I commence building the Road from Cameroun to Gao and Haile Selassie's forces  have managed to plunder a Zulu Trade Caravan - that gives 200 Gold!

In Dakar I receive a second Galleass and place a Market on order.

605 AD: I purchase a Missionary in Gao while N. of Thebes I start constructing a Farm on a Flood Plain hex. In Agadez I receive a Catapult and order another one.

610 AD: I decide to move a Caravan's Home-City from Gao to Rabat. If I go to war with Ethiopia I don't want one of my Caravans being plundered.....

Another lousy trade deal with Venice but that's the best I can get. Ethiopia has become friends with Japan and taunts me. You'll pay for that remark!

I note that the denouncement by Siam has expired. Both Haile Selassie and I have Missionaries near to Harar.

615 AD: I open a new Trade Route from Rabat to Memphis and use my Missionary to convert Harar to Judaism. Also China's denouncement of me has expired.

620 AD: Well so much for hoping for better relations with Siam.

A Longswordsman arrives in Gao and because there is a Barracks there it automatically receives a Promotion. A Catapult arrives at Tombouctu and I order a Market next. Both new units are moved towards the Ethiopian border. West of Thebes I start constructing a second Stone Quarry.

625 AD: Now China denounces me again - who needs friends?

In Thebes I receive a new Catapult and place a Mint on order.

Now I denounce leaders who have denounced me - it makes me feel better...

My Statistics are looking great - I've passed through the 500 Victory Points mark and I now have the most powerful Armed Forces; and there are a lot more troops in the pipeline :)

Finally the Realm in 625 AD. Most cities have the Jewish Faith. My Missionary is heading to Carthage while Ethiopia's appears to be heading to who knows where? Seven more turns before Physics has been researched and I can start upgrading my Catapults.

Until the next post, guys :)