vmos

I've been really enjoying this game even though I've been fairly crap so far. On the basic scenario acropolis map (on easy mode) I can advance to city status, get some good efences on the go and hold off any attack with little loss of life, but any time I try to expand much beyond the starting hill or attack the enemy, I just get totally slaughtered. I have a feeling there's something vital I'm missing but it's not apparent from just looking at the manuals. Are there any strategy guides or a basic tutorial? Rape and pillage for dummies? How to vanquish the barbarian hordes in 6 easy steps? Conquering infidels for fun and profit?