Quote Originally Posted by D. Boon's Ghost
I mean... they don't had out missions to the AI Romans.
While I agree with most of what you say, I am not sure about this point as when playing non-Roman factions the Roman factions appear to regularly attack the same locations as the Senate often order me to (when I do play a Roman faction) at least in the early part of the game...

As for the Senate faction not expanding I think that has more to do with their orginal placing on the map. I sold them a Gaul province once I did not want (playing as the Scipii) and next thing you know they are doing better against the Gauls than the Julii!!!

The Barbarian Europa lot are putting together a mod where they are considering having only the Senate faction... The only issue I see with that would be that the game would play as if there is a sole ruler of Roman (Emperor?) for the begining due to the way the factions work...