Playable Civilizations and Factions
The Julii
One of the oldest patrician families of Rome, the Julians claimed to be descended from Venus, the Goddess of Love. By far their most famous scion was Gaius Julius Caesar, probably the most famous Roman in history (although that is perhaps more a reflection on the way history is taught today than on Caesar himself). Even after Caesar, the Julians still maintained considerable political power, as the Julio-Claudian dynasty continued to rule Rome for almost a century (the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero were all members of the extended family). In-game they will be based in Northern Italy/Gaul.
The Scipii
Without the Scipii, it is entirely possible that the Republic may never have lasted till Caesar’s time. Apart from the legendary Scipio Africanus (Publius Cornelius Scipio), who helped Rome win the Second Punic war, many other members of the family fought in Rome’s service. These included Africanus’ father, his grandson Scipio Aemilianus, who razed Carthage to the ground, and his brother Scipio Asiaticus, who fought against Antiochus of Syria. The Scipios were so powerful during the time just before the Second Punic War that almost half the consuls elected in that period were members of their family or relatives by marriage. They were still around at the time of the Civil War, if less prominent, and one of them died fighting Caesar in North Africa. The Scipii will be based in Southern Italy and Sicily.
The Brutii
Located in Eastern Italy in Rome: Total War, the Brutii were perhaps not as politically powerful as the other two Roman families (historically speaking). There is strongly associated with them, however, the idea of protecting the Republic. The last king of Rome, Tarquinus Superbus, was overthrown by a Brutus, and one of the leaders of the plot to assassinate Caesar (who had ended the Republic) was also a Brutus. This one, Marcus Junius, was rumoured by some to be Caesar’s son, as his mother was a lifelong mistress of the dictator’s...
Britons
Although the term Britons is somewhat vague, there were multiple Celtic peoples inhabiting the British isles during the time period of Rome: Total War. They proved unexpectedly resistant to Roman invasion, being like their Gallic counterparts fearsome fighters. The Romans in time managed to capture most of Britain, but never succeeded in defeating the Picts, who lived in modern-day Scotland – hence the building of Hadrian’s wall. Their units include head hurlers (yes, they throw heads at people) and war hounds. Some sort of Druid-related thing is also probable with this faction.
Carthaginians
Possibly the greatest enemy Rome ever faced. Descendants of Phoenician traders from Tyre, and expert merchants in their own right. They were one of the few forces in the Mediterranean to use elephants in large numbers, and they have no less than three elephant units in Rome: Total War. Their armies were quite varied, with everything from slingers to heavy infantry to shock cavalry being represented. Since the Carthaginians did not have a very large population, they had to make extensive use of mercenaries – which sometimes led to problems. The Numidians (one of the non-playable factions) were closely allied with them for a long time.
Gauls
The continental descendants of the Celts who spread westwards across Europe centuries over, the Gauls were sneered at by Romans as barbarians. They were nevertheless powerful albeit inconsistent warriors, able to whip themselves into savage frenzies before taking to the battlefield. Celtic infantry dealt the Romans heavy losses on more than one occasion. [Many of the stereotypical ‘barbarian’ units, such as the deranged naked warriors you see in every other game set in Roman times, will probably show up as Gauls in Rome: Total War.] The Gauls will also probably have some kind of Druidic unit.
Greeks
The Romans may have often mocked the Greeks for their legalistic, treaty-based approach to war, but they knew that much of Roman culture came from here originally. The Greeks were a fading power by Roman times, but they still held a great deal of intellectual influence – not something that was much use in a war, unfortunately. Lorded over by first the Macedonians and then the Romans (as well as Mithridates of Pontus in between), they still nursed some dreams of glory – who says it’s too late for a Greek revival? Phalanxes will be the mainstay of these armies.
Germans
Another exciting adversary the Romans had a lot of fun with. The Germans were able to dole out substantial punishment, the most obvious example being the battle of Teutobergwald (Teutoberg Forest) in AD 9, where three entire legions were wiped out in an ambush. The Germans are also comparable to the Gauls in that they were a fiercer but less organized people than the Romans. Germanic warriors continued to loom on the Northern borders of the Empire for many centuries, and indeed when Rome finally fell in 476AD, it was Germanic people who became the new masters of Italy.
Parthians
The common expression ‘Parthian shot’ refers to the tactic employed by this people of retreating while raining arrows on their enemies. It was the Parthians who cut Crassus’ legions to pieces at Carrhae in 53 BC. They were known most famously for their formidable horse archers (these units will be able to fire while moving in the game), but also have a very powerful cavalry unit (the cataphract) in Rome: Total War. The Parthians continued to skirmish intermittently with the Romans for almost three hundred years more, before finally being wiped out by the Persians. The Parthians are towards the eastern end of the game world.
Ptolemaic Egyptians
The dynasty started by Ptolemy, another of Alexander’s generals, ended with Cleopatra in 30 BC. Amazingly, the Greek Ptolemies ruled Egypt for centuries without even learning to speak the local language (except for Cleopatra). Although the land was incredibly rich in natural resources, it was neither militarily nor politically very prominent in Mediterranean affairs. Its ancient culture was not forgotten, however, and the library at Alexandria was a major center of learning. The Egyptian army did have some interesting units, including camel archers and chariots. The Romans turned this into (one of) their breadbaskets during the time of Caesar.
Seleucids
The Seleucid kingdom was originally created by Seleucos, one of the five generals who claimed part of Alexander’s empire after the conqueror’s death. Although it stretched at one point from Greece almost to India, it was battered by the Romans for years, and also frequently attacked by the Parthians to its East. The kingdom’s core is in the region of Syria. It was in an uneasy three-way cold war with Egypt and Macedonia for a long time, before the Romans solved the problem by taking over all three. None of the Successor Kingdoms (kingdoms of Alexander’s successors, that is) were ever able to replicate his military success, and this was largely because they were unable to produce equally effective cavalry. In Rome: Total War, the Seleucids will have the advantage of having access to both Greek and ‘Eastern’ units.