Rome Total War....

I've been having a more interesting time playing as a lesser power on my own theme of non conquest.
I did take the last Seleucid town as well as two others from Parthia in a move early on that "secured" my borders. I now have 7 provinces all protected with garrisons on passes and bridges. My little empire is a fortress.

I've been using a lot of assassins, spies and diplomats to help shape battles and regional influence.
So far I've been using the Egyptians to help take care of Pontus and then the house of Scipii who pushed in on the weakened Pontic states.
I'm surprised that both the Brutii and Carthaginians have made such large gains. I'm surprised as well that the Julii haven't made more ground against the Iberian and Briton tribes.

I've also been happy with the rebels that pop up in my lands, mainly archers that I can bribe to my side. |Retrained and rearmed they are as good as the ones I recruit.
For anything outside of my fortress empire I've been recruiting expendable mercenaries.With some weapon and armour upgrading they are proving their worth. Although since the Roman's have had their Marian reform they are now significantly more dangerous and hard to destroy. Most battles against them now need to be fought twice to weaken them down to a broken formation on the campaign map.

I think this game(save) will be coming to and end sooner rather than later. While I can side with the Carthaginians against Egypt should that happen, I'm happy to see how things play out. But I can sense a larger black cloud on the horizon. The Brutii are coming. Now I know how it feels from the other side.