Welcome back to Civ2, guys!
It's clear to me that there isn't one best strategy. It's all in what you want to accomplish, tempered by how things unfold in the early going. I play deity-raging only. For me, the real fun is the many ways you can go approach it, learning something new every time.
Most dependable (for me) is the vet crusader - super ironclad - fundamentalist war footing. With the AI's combination of belligerence (esp. in MGE) and tactical stupidity, it's always a fun romp.
Most fun is democracy - trade, with explosive WLTxD growth.
The overall keys common to success include early monarchy, massive exploitation of trade, and constantly expanding city count.
But I've only been at it for under a year. Many others here are much more qualified to speak...
