Just finished a 24 player capture the princess game. Lincoln, Brennus, and Alexander were all Gracious for 3500 years straight. I was able to trade 1 for 1 resources and techs. I had a 4000 year dyes-for-furs trade with the Russians. (Tiny map so roads were linked real quick.) 3 AIs declared war on me total. The wars were all ancient, and we got back to polite relations by the renaissance. I don't think the AI is that wormongerish.
Trade world maps with the AIs a lot. You can make small change, and they'll like you for it.
Listen to planetfall.
Get lots of strong defensive units and the AI will ask you for MPPs and even offer to pay you money.
