Russia is not intimidated by the Babylonian culture. We will found Tblisi close to the heart of the Babylonian empire.  Tblisi's working area overlaps that of both Ellipi and Nineveh.

Still a despotic regime, we must pop-rush the temple. Early completion of cultural improvements is crucial. The people will appreciate the hard work once the temple has been completed.

Note that Russia is about the same size as that of Babylon. 

50 BC to 590 AD - CONSOLIDATION

Russia becomes a Republic in 50BC. We can now rush-buy. We complete several crucial improvements, including city walls, library, barracks, courthouse, aqueduct and soon the cathedral. 

Note that Tblisi is successfully pushing back Nineveh's cultural boundaries. 

Nineveh flips to our control. Of course, we rush the temple, the library and the cathedral. While before we were on a parity with Babylon, the acquisition of Nineveh now puts us in a superior position. 

With Cossacks and grit, we win the Babylonian War. We build our Forbidden Palace in the heart of the old Babylonian Empire.