Are there any civs (or intentionally mismatched civ-leader combos) that would lend itself toward fun solo gameplay against AI enemies? The only mapgen items I've decided upon are that I play marathon-speed, prefer continents-style larger maps (I use the Larger Maps mod) and I'll be disabling all non-military victory conditions. Thus, my question here isn't about religious victory so much as I'm looking for some sort of religious buff on my military. My guess is that I might start on King, and then gradually increase the difficulty with my next map up toward deity, and so on.

Anyways, thanks in advance folks!

EDIT: Also interested in advice on how to develop a good science lead early on, so as to ensure military supremacy as thoroughly as possible, and as early in the game as possible. My hope is to be able to get some form of military edge toward late Medieval or early Renaissance -- is that hope unrealistic, whether with or without religion?