A guy here said greek minor god choices are always good and dependant on the situation alone. Sure, I say. Itīs a question about what you truly want: Maximizing your potentials (Hades-Ares-Aplo-Artemis) or balancing to eliminate weaknesses. I, as Zeus, play Athena-Apolo-Hephaesto and try to balance my forces: Hoplites, Hippikon, archers and heroes (all). Hipps, are less seen coz have great gold cost and pop slot using. At classical I use Hoplites+Minos+Jason and Toxs+Odisseus. If the enemy start to mass archers, then I go Hipps. At Myhtic i turn mainly my hoplites to myrmiddons (but keep a few if heīs using much cavalry), mantain Toxs and keep a few hipps to deal with archers. Then i complement with collosi (Far better than any siege unit the greek could employ) and have a well rounded army, able to response to most things that come.
Thats my strategy for Zeus, but I think hades and Poseidon can have more benefits of a massed single unit army, but hereīs a thing to note. If you are playing a cavalry oriented poseidon, the enemy (knowing this)can use anticavalry units (as most basic infantry are). Knowing of this response you should respond to his response, thus using archers to neutralize his infantry.
About economy, i truly think Aphrodte isnt the best choice. Discarding Dionysus and Apolo is a high price to so few benefits. As Zeus i donīt even worry about her. He doesnt have acces to Aphrodite. PLenty (Hephaestus) is a complement that all three should consider (maybe not Hades) and is enough, i think. Greek economy isnt the worse of all, i think. I think of Aphrodite as a uber MU and a weak gp and techs.
"Let me hear the batlle cry, Calling on the wind
Let me see the banners fly, Before the storm begins
Let me feel the spirits soar, Destroy the enemy
Striking at the evil core, For all the world to see"
Judas Priest - One Shot at Glory