Is it just me, or is there anyone else who endevors to turn whichever faction they're playing into a sort of alternate reality psudo-Roman empire? By this I mean nothing in reference to Roman culture, government, or other such things, but rather building an empire the size of Rome's (or larger), and putting your nation through a sort of Marian reforms like modernization of your military into a professional force once you reach a certain size, thus creating a replacement to the historical Roman empire.

For example, I've done this in my post-victory Adeui game, in which a united all the lands which sported celts and gauls, and took over all the lands which were situated close enough to my capital and centers of recruitment to hold onto, (untill i got bored) and professionalized my force by using a backbone of gallic heavy swordsmen, and cutting out most levy style units. My armies consisted of mostly heavy swords, Sulduros, celtic slingers, gallic light cavalry, and a couple of whatever spearmen were available in whatever part of the world I was in at the time to guard the flanks.

I currently making plans to do something similar in my Carthage game. I'm likly going to have to use more regionals and such however, as my main reruitment area is rather small. Thats ok though, as it will fit with the Carthaginian's habit of using large groups of mercinaries.

How about it? Does anyone else do this?