Dignitrys are good for sorting out any high corruption in your regions/provinces (just remember you need to click the Administration button to allow it to work).Always put a champion in your armys, they give your armies a boost in ranks over a period of time, for the life span of 1 champion you could gain around level 7 units ( without even a battle).Send your beginning spy around the WHOLE of the mediteranian to get as much trade from factions that have ports.Move your amies around in two's.makes it easier to auto resolve seige battles, gives you the numerical advantage, and stops the enemy constantly attacking 1 army.