Hobbies And Interests
Homage
Players who don't pay homage in the form of money, raw materials, finished goods and food to "heroes" -- ancestors who acts as deities to your population -- will see them wrecking havoc on the city. Expand your "Ministries" tab and highlight "Religion" to open the interface from which you can monitor the heroes' current dispositions toward you and make offerings. Particularly contented heroes may visit your city and bestow blessings and other bonuses.
Fortification
Build a city wall around your city as soon as possible and station archers on the walls to ward off invaders. Search for a location that is mostly surrounded by mountain ranges and close off the remaining perimeter with walls and a gate, then build within the walls and rocks to save time and money early on in the game.
Citizens
Gardens and plazas are inexpensive fixtures that boost the mood of any household in their range. These places of solace may be all that keep your people sane and help them avoid rioting during droughts, times of turmoil and instances of warfare. Most citizens are also more tolerant of excessive taxing with these amenities in place.
Industry
Raw materials are developed on a limited number of lots, so proper allocation is a must. Take note of what surrounding cities want to import from you via the commerce tab of the "Ministries" window, then devote the majority of your lots to fillings these needs. Build only one wheat farm, four fishing buildings and four hunting buildings to sufficiently provide for your own people.