Why 272 BC?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Having KH and Baktria is already pushing it. If the game started earlier then they would probably have to be removed. In 280, the Antigonids were not a power either and Makedonia was in disorder without a leader. The Galatians were still in the process of settling in Galatia. The Romans were much weaker and controlled little.

272 is a good year because KH and Baktria can kind of be streched to fit in and yet Epeiros is still a power. During and just after the start date the Romans begin their true rise to power with the consolidation of southern Italy. And there is a Syrian War in progress that has divided the Hellenic and Hellenistic world.

[QuintusSertorius]

I can kind of understand why; any later and you start having problems with Rome really being a major power.

If it were up to me, I'd start the game in 250BC, with the First Punic War already going on. Makes it easier to justify Baktria and Pahlava being around too. However it would also mean some changes in factions, since Epeiros really weren't a contender any more, and the Leagues in Greece were different in structure and alleigances.