I don't have much province yet. I'm playing very hard/very hard too. Diplomacy is pretty good. No one-track AI mind so far. They are fighting each other and they look very independent just like Shogun (even more so).

The Dacians actually attacked me because I was belligerent against Gaul (their ally). After an astute and pointed warning, which I didn't a pay attention to - and much to my surprise and glee later - they sent an army to attack my province Patavium which closest to theirs (Segestica). That's where the Julii - Dacian war started. Awesome!

The Senate actually scolded me for attacking provinces I'm not supposed to attack because the Senate policy mandates it. They said, they start to think that's I'm doing it for my own glory not for the Greater Rome. Ooooooh. Scary.

Here's another one. I was given a mission by the Senate to attack Caralis (in Sardinia) a city by the Carthaginians. After a couple years of preparation, I attacked with about 6 units and won. The Carthaginians sent a boatload of units

I sent a stack of 3 ships to blockade ( they had about a full stack of ships). I know I'm gonna lose when they attack and they will invade and slaughter my units garrisoned. I can't do anything because my main army is fighting the Gauls. I only did the mission to satisfy the senate. I got desperate and sent my emissary to the Scipii and asked them to attack the Carthaginians, they agreed. Next turn, the carthaginian army at Lillybauem (in Sicily) was under siege by a stack of Scipii and the fleet was gone. I assume they went to Sicily to fight the Scipii. I couldn't see thought because my ships aren't close.

Will post more later since I haven't experienced the Roman civil war yet. Way to go still I think. I've only captured 22-23 provinces so far and I need 50 at least along with other requirements.

One last thing. The Greek States asked for a ceasefire and trade rights. After negotiations and me introducing money in the equation, they agreed to tributes in exchange. Although it is the other romans that are attacking them by land. I'm only at war with them due to senate mission to blockade their port at Syracuse.