This is a fun game but ...

[driver]

I went through most of the battles fairly well until Gaza. I tried all of the strategies posted on this forum and a few of of own. I was very close to taking the game off my computer because of what I believe was an error in realism.

I had pushed my right flank too far but finally broke through on the left flank. A enemy archer unit was caught in the open by a full strength Lancer unit and one of my heavy infantry units. I hit the bow men twice with the cavalry and once with the infantry with it taking losses of 1,200 men. The problem was tha the unti retreated in good order and an enemy infantry unit moved up to intercede. That was quickly pushed aside with ease by my infantry unit and so I felt it was only a few more turns before finishing off the bow men. In additional an enemy calvary unit engaged with one of my other infantry units had its flank fully exposed. What happened next made me want to scream.

The enemy bow men despite losing 1,200 men was still in great order and was able to fire twice before my infantry could resume the attack. The result was a loss of 400 men and my unit was routed. Then I hit the enemy calvary unit on the flank, a unit that had just attacked another of my infantry units - the result was that my calvary unit lost 300 men, the enemy 100. The same flank attack with the same result and the battle at that point was lost.

Having said that, it is still a fun game as I figured out a trick way to win a major victory. All the heavy infantry units formed a semi circle with just below the walls with one cavalry unit inside to fill the gaps. My bow men stayed on the walls and picked off the enemy bow men. The enemy then charged my heavy infantry taking significant losses. When almost the entire enemy force was engaged or lined up to engage my right flank, I moved forward with my calvary and left flank, cutting the enemy down from behind.

It could be my mistaken impression that good strategies failed but a trick strategy won?

[Belphegor]

I wouldn't consider what you did so much a trick as an alternate strategy. I don't see anything wrong with moving troops up and waiting for an enemy response. As long as you make your victory conditions. Realistic? I'm sure the argument over that could last a long time. There are other ways to get through Gaza, and quite frankly I found it one of the tougher battles as well. Took me many tries to win it by more than a small margin...