Itemless Balancing
I believe the one of the best ways to balance the different Demigods is to play the game without any Items, forcing all play to be predicated upon Demigod abilities only. With Generals, some accommodation or exception would need to be made to allow for their Idol Minions.
Sorry I never posted this much earlier - been meaning to, just never could remember.
(a counter-argument might be that Item purchases are too ingrained in the game to do without them... could be valid)