Ok so making type 4 settlements, building up happiness buildings and then changing to a type 1 or 2 is not the way to go. By doing this I was able to rapidly expand, since I didn't have to leave a general behind to raise happiness, and by using the same general he got several positive traits. The one general took 5 cities and won several battles against rebels as well as Epiros and the Gauls. I was about to take two more Gaul cities, already captured one, then launch an assault against Epiros and a few rebel territories on the Greek coast when I got a CTD :(

Hey why does the help section for Rome say to attack Segestica and Rhegion first and leave Epiros city in southern Italy alone? I always conquer the Taras immediately and then send an emmissary to broker a cease fire. This leaves me with nothing but rebel territories in Italy and they can be quickly conquered.