For example, on the Thunderlord hero, level 33, against level 47, I had a Warrior...

vadim_t, thank you for the interesting message. A replay would be more informative. I somehow overlooked the 5th map with different difficulty levels; I was too lazy to play on "Warrior." I need to try it. I didn't pay close enough attention to the 5th map with different difficulty levels, and I was too lazy to play on "Warrior." I need to try it. I went through the map with a "zero-level" Andreas, so I assumed that in all other cases, it would be easier for the player. I didn't take "Logistics" early in the upgrade process; I didn't have time for it at first. Because of this, my completion times should be very long.
Menelaus taking control of the ballista is a random event. As a small tip: you can lose with the machines and not take the cart. However, with such huge armies as yours, taking control of the ballista is not a decisive loss.