Thanks for the help. I was able to pull out of it through a combination of shifting my citizens to work commerce, and disbanding a phalanx. Also the next turn I was able to trade for ivory which I was loosing 21 gold per turn on. My first game was Rome on balanced, and I really didn't pay attention ...

I started a game on experienced level playing as Sparta, and I am going broke after 6 turns. I haven't added any troops. I am loosing 40 gold a turn on regional trade mostly because I am missing iron and pottery. My metal production keeps going up and I can't use the metal I have due to lack of gold...