I recently started playing TWA and chose to start as the Eastern Roman Empire. Not for any major reason other than I disagree with Arian Christianity and didn't feel like playing a gothic horde. I did put the difficulty down because wow I don't like TW games on higher difficulties.Anyway, the start for the ERE is really rough guys. You have so much territory but it's so much ground to cover with so few units and the visigoths are so close to your capital.
I started the game and immediately signed peace treaties with as many nations as possible until the only group at war with me were the visigoths who were in my territory and attacking. My guys were getting butchered and I was getting scared. But I noticed with every town they attacked, their army total was slowly withering away as they got closer to the capital. At this moment, my cowardice revealed its genius: I could win this war. Possibly. I had one shot.
I had two armies near Constantinople, transferred everything to my faction leader and sent a brave general and his bodyguards to "hold" the river. They bought me a turn with their brave sacrifice but it was enough! The turn let me add in units and finally, as the barbarians attacked the gate of Constantinople, they left broken and shattered, eager to sign for peace. That's where I left the save because now I have regions that are basically broken and on fire, with the Dacians having risen up but its time to put that rebellion to rest and look to securing the glory of the Eastern Roman Empire before the Huns decide they'd like a go.