What's a good starting nation for newbies?

[Graeme Dice]

Arralen said:
EA Ermor - build Lizard Auxiliarii until they come out of your ears, then build some more... they might be even more cost-effective then Pangean Centaurs.

Really? They're statistically quite inferior to principes, especially in the all important morale and protection categories. The roman based nations all survive based on their ability to create a meatshield for the mages to do their work, so I'd still build principes.