Pro Tip - The Blitzkreig.
1st Build 4 scholars and a full army, Zerks and Guards are especially nice
2nd you'll want to make 5 divisions from this. My optimal overall conquering army = 5000-8000 Zerks, 1-2000 Guards, 300-400 Rams, 100-200 Ballistas, your scholars. (this is a pretty maxed out army adjust depending on your level in game)
3rd Send 5 waves back to back within seconds of each other.
1st wave- Clearing Army- Majority of your Zerks, Guards, Rams, and Ballistas (targeting rally point)
2nd-5th waves- Scholars with few hundred troop support (if you can afford that many)
This can accomplish 1 of 2 things. 1- Keeps the enemy honest, they know they have to keep their troops in city and stand and fight if they have any chance. Your initial army decimates the wall and everything they have, opening the door for the scholars right behind them.
or 2- the enemy wasn't born yesterday and realize the first wave is the one to avoid, maybe they paid to see the attacks and know, so they send their troops outside city seconds before the first attack and then plan to cancel and withdraw them back before scholar waves. The first wave took out the rally point (40seconds to minute rebuild time) they try to withdraw troops and can't, by the time they figure out what is going on, try to rebuild, withdraw, its far too late, you've taken their city and now also their troops!! Rebuild rally point and take your new army, enjoy
you should have stunned/conquered a mid game player. Refine this strategy!