The Roman Factions have access to Cohorts and Legions, the most powerful heavy infantry selection in the game. The unit roster is thus split into pre and post Marian reforms. In game, these reforms happen once any settlement on the Italian Peninsula builds an Imperial Palace. It drastically transformed the structure of the Roman military, allowing for the poorer classes to seek employment in a professional army. These reforms were a historical event which were instituted by Gaius Marius in 107BCE. There is an event in campaign known as the Marian Reforms. It likely won't decide the campaign for you but it's something to keep in mind. Another difference is that different types of mercenaries can be recruited in the natural expansion paths to each faction. The only difference in unit roster is the unique gladiator unit they can recruit.
The Romans feature the most extensive and powerful units roster in the game, based around having a flexible rotation of units to suit any opponent they come up against. Their split settlements means that dominance of the seas is required for Scipii to succeed They border both the Greek Cities and Carthage, on Sicily. The Scipii have the most interesting situation. They are bordered by some Gallic towns and then a ring of rebel settlements separate civilisation from the barbarian hordes. The Julii have the most basic goal in mind. These should be considered the Brutii's natural enemies and expansion. To the east lie the rich cities of Macedon and the Greek Cities. The Brutii's neighbours are both the Julii and Scipii in a north-westerly direction. The Roman factions also have a lack of nearby rebel settlements. This means that they are forced to use ships or take long land routes to attack anyone.Īll Roman factions begin the game as allies and whenever you declare war the other Roman factions will also be at war with said faction. The Brutii are the only faction to lack adjacent regions that are not another Roman faction (Excluding SPQR). Brutii begin the game in the south, Julii in the north and Scipii in Central Italy and Sicily. All of these starting settlements are quite rich and tend to be the largest and most profitable in the campaign. The Brutii's capital is Tarentum and second city is Croton, he Julii have capital Arretium and secondary settlement of Ariminium and the Scipii have Capua as their capital and Messana as their other settlement. Polybius in particular, is famed for being openly critical of Carthage (he was allegedly present for the final destruction of the ancient capital), and in particular the Barcids, so his accounts are heavily biased towards Rome and can almost be considered propaganda.Īlthough the power plays of Julius Caesar, and the formation of the Roman Empire under Octavian, were still many years away, Rome’s victory over Carthage and its confederates laid the foundations for Rome the superpower.All three Roman factions start on different parts of Italy with only two settlements. Many accounts of the Second Punic War come from Polybius and Livy, neither of whom were alive when the events they describe took place and wrote only from Rome’s perspective. After weathering the worst of Hannibal’s assault, Rome struck back under the brilliance of Scipio and finally, on the field at Zama, Carthage’s dream came crashing to an end. The brilliance of Hannibal as a strategist and tactician cannot be denied he came closer than anyone else ever had or would to toppling Roman power, but his failure was underestimating Rome’s ability to endure. Catastrophic defeats at Trebia, Lake Trasimene and Cannae shattered any faith Rome’s allies had in them, and almost imploded the Republic. It was a hard fought victory for Rome, however Hannibal Barca’s campaign in Italy, following his daring crossing of the Alps, nearly brought Rome to ruin. It marked the end of a contest for power in the Mediterranean - the establishment of Roman hegemony over the entire Italian peninsula and deep into Iberia. The Second Punic War is, arguably, the most sweeping, destructive war of ancient times.