So I only just got to start up the save a while back. There's not much to report, I'm only now hitting Medieval at T80.
I had to "bootstrap" my way to that first worker, which gimped my growth. And I followed your settlements for the most part. I could potentially try for Petra, but it's all sizzle, no steak, for where I am.
I think the big difference in our games is that Theo LOVES me. She offered a DOF around T77. I didn't go for any wonders -- that includes G. Library. Maybe you scooped her on that wonder? You may have also neglected Embassies and trade. She was also testing me for friendship, asking for gifted GPT, which I gave happily knowing that the goddamn Celts were about. That may have been another reason she came after you.
Another reason Theo may like me is that, in not going for wonders, I have been pounding out Bowmen. I think I have 5 or 6. I'm massing them up, and pretty soon I'll go back and pop Construction so I can upgrade to composites if Boudicca gets testy. Theo may have mistaken my arsenal as potential warmongering.
Of course, I'm not fooling myself, I know Theo will turn on me. Hard. But through the next era or two, we are tight. I'm going to try to play nice with the Celts. Dur-Kuriwhatsit will show strength at all times, so if Boudicca wants it, Ima give to her.
I was able to also able to dump luxuries on both. I had to settle for a lot of GPT, but I did catch a few nice scores off of them. So here's where I stand having just finished Civil Service. The reason my settlements are so far behind is that I decided to beeline Philosophy and get my Nat'l College up right away. As soon Nat'l College finished (I chopped in the distance to get it done), I settled Akkad on top of that Incense tile.
I'm not keen on Akkad, but the extra science is a nice boost. It's not bad. The other settlement could work out, it should be good for hammers. I'm missing jungles for universities, but who knows.
Also, I'm turning in for the night so I'll have to pick it back up tomorrow. Overall I don't think I have a great chance here...some other civ, wherever the hell they are, should catch up to me in tech soon enough. And seeing as science is my only legit shot, I don't like my odds.
EDIT: Before I log, though, I was wondering when you got DOW'd by the Celts...it was pretty close to T80 or T90, wasn't it? I'm wondering if I can avoid that. I think I can, I think I've got the pointy sticks to keep her honest.