No solution that removes any of the Roman factions will be considered. It introduces bugs to the system. This policy of no bugs entering the game mechanics are why we can avoid problems that we have heard happening in other places such as very long AI turns, rebels being elected to the Senate, CTD bugs, and similar things. I will repeat it again, and the answer will never change. We will not consider a solution that introduces known bugs to the system, and has any number of unintended consequences elsewhere.

Now, on balance, there are various ways to make Rome's strength appear in one place. Such as giving two of the Roman factions one province each and no desire to expand, and make the third faction expansionistic. This neither makes Rome too fast to expand, nor splits its strength.

There will be much variety in the siege weapons, have no fear. You want something without sinews? You guys want nice pictures? Here, try this: