While you waiting for Civ-3.
Check this one out:
http://www.europa-universalis.com/
It aint Civ, but Computer Games Online wrote:
"It's Like: The most thorough historical simulation anywhere."
Personaly, i dont want Civ-3 to be a "historical simulation" - at least not in the main game. Thats scenario-stuff. But, since some civers like to dwell in historical details, you guys should perhaps give it a look. I dont know if its avalable in the states yet, though.
Its real-time BUT - you can slow down the time to a crawl, or you can pause the game an
still access all controls.