Effective army for Machaka

[Schmoe]

After three demoralizing battles, I've come to the conclusion that I simply don't know how to put together an effective army. Does anyone have any tips as to what can be effective for Machaka?

Also, I've noticed my opponents have many, many mages and commanders equipped with Rods of Authority, etc in their armies. It's obviously effective, but I wonder how they are getting anywhere with research this way. Do the benefits (better firepower) outweigh the drawbacks (less research)? One of the most recent battles was against 18 enemy commanders and mages, 50 or so Ulm Infantry, and about 20 Black Knights of Ulm. My 40 living statues, 30-40 vine men and vine ogres, 10-20 hoplites, 4 black hunters, 4 witch doctors, 2 sorceresses, and a hoplite commander inflicted a grand total of 7 casualties and they were in turn slaughtered nearly to a man. I have some ideas, but I was hoping other people could chime in, as my ideas haven't proved too successful thus far.