Non-Playable Civilizations and Factions
Armenians
On the edge of Rome’s sphere of influence, Armenia by the time of Caesar stretched from its modern-day location all the way to Syria, which it had taken from the Seleucids. The Roman Consul Lucullus sacked its capital in 71 BC, and thereafter it became a satellite of the Republic. Armenia has a nice strategic position, since it’s right on the edge of Rome: Total War’s game world (don’t have to watch your back; that’s always nice). Too bad you can’t play as them.
Dacians
An East European people, who lived to the north of Greece/Thrace, and to the west of the Scythians. Probably came westwards from Central Asia. They were conquered by the Romans in the first century AD, but this new province of Dacia later abandoned to the Goths. One unique Dacian unit in Rome: Total war is the falxman, an infantry unit armed with a falx – a sort of funky curved sword. Dacian Mercenaries will also be featured.
Iberians
Much like the Gauls and Germans, but located in Spain. The Iberians also had fairly good infantry – their men were accustomed to fighting in mountainous terrain, and therefore were good at ambushes. They fought for the Carthaginians against Rome many times; this makes it likely that there will be Iberian mercenary units in Rome: Total War. Those who lived in the area between Spain and Gaul were known as Celtiberians. You can probably expect to see some of the stereotypical ‘barbarian’ units with the Iberians as well.
Macedonians
As the Roman Republic grew in power, the Macedonians still had not reconciled themselves to the fact that the days of Alexander were over. During the Punic Wars, Phillip V of Macedon and then his son Perseus took advantage of Roman preoccupation to extend their influence over a large part of Greece. However, they eventually pushed the Romans too far, and were squashed, their kingdom divided into four Roman provinces. The Macedonian phalanxes remained powerful infantry to the end. Like the Seleucids, they were unable to duplicate the powerful shock-cavalry-and-phalanx armies of Alexander the Great.
Numidians
A sturdy people from Northern Africa, the Numidians caused Rome grief on more than one occasion. They played a massive role in Hannibal’s invasion, as their heavy cavalry was something the Romans did not know how to counter. When Scipio finally defeated Hannibal at Zama, he did so with a large contingent of Numidian cavalry amongst his forces. Later on, a Numidian king named Jugurtha fought the Romans for almost a decade before Marius was able to crush him. The Numidians were respected above all for their cavalry.
Pontus
Pontus is memorable largely for its king Mithridates, who was a consistent and painful thorn in the Roman side. He was a quick learner, and adapted his infantry to copy many effective Roman tactics. They are likely to have Greek-style pikes, as well as more stereotypically Eastern units like horse archers. If you’re playing as the Romans, you might want to deal with Pontus first before they show up on your doorstep with an army (no, the game isn’t that historically accurate).
Scythians
The Scythians were another Central Asian civilization; unlike many others, however, they did not migrate westwards, but remained on the steppes. Being an animal-herding nomadic people, they traded the Dacians and Thracians for luxury goods. The only Scythian unit we’ve heard of so far is the axeman. The Scythians are at the very end of the game world, and as such are unlikely to have much strategic importance. Historically speaking their contact with the Romans was nothing worth mentioning.
The Senate
The importance of the Senate to the Roman state cannot be overestimated. Although it was often suppressed by powerful consuls and generals, the Senate was the true hub of Roman politics, with tribunes, praetors, and consuls all emerging from its ranks. There is a reason that the legions carried into battle standards reading SPQR: ‘For the Senate and the People of Rome’. The number of Senators varied between 300 and 900 over the years, and after the conversion to Empire, it became more of an advisory/administrative body. In Rome: Total War, the Senate will give Roman players missions, which can be carried out to enhance one’s reputation (and therefore internal power).
Thracians
A Greek kingdom, Thrace was taken over by Celtic invaders in the 3rd century BC. Before that, they had also been conquered by the Persians and Macedonians. Later, it was the Goths. The Thracians don’t seem to have done anything except get invaded repeatedly, so if you want to expand your territory, you know where to look. We know that you can hire Thracians as mercenaries in Rome: Total War.