Has anybody ever had so much bad luck in their campaign as to submit to being made a protectorate - out of necessity for survival?

And if you have gone that far below dignity, and still persisted in the campaign - is the game still playable?

From what I've seen, so long as one plays on Medium difficulty, the AI is very merciful, and a good ally once you become a protectorate.

I was theorising what I would do if I lost my war against the Romans playing as the Arverni, and they managed to conquer the Alps before I could raise another efficient army.

Eventually they would give me the right to surrender, and I think I would play along, instead of giving up the game in my normal custom.

It would be fun to play in such a position I think, you would feel very safe.. Biding your time until you could assert your freedom once more.

Does anyone have an opinion or experience on this?