So I take it none has any thoughts about this?

Has anyone even played the game assuming that they are but a part of the Roman faction?

I restarted a Campaign from this perspective recently with teh Scipii.

I am only Taking Cities that are either the target of a Senate Mission, or are Rebell.

I refuse alliances in general, and I do not forge alliances if the Civilisation in question is not also allied with the Senate or another Roman Sub-Faction.

I reluctantly completed missions against the Greek Cities, and only complete 1 in 2 Blockade missions.

At one point the senate asked for the taking of Sparta, upon completion of the Mission, the Greek Cities sent a diplomat to negotiate a cease fire, I made a counter proposal asking them to become a Protectorate, they made a counter proposal accepting the status if Sparta would be turned over to them, and I accepted, which made the Greek Cities a 5 province protectorate, emediatelly after which the senate the Julii and Brutii seased all hostilities with the Greek Cities and were declared its allies.

Which only supports the perception here, that Rome is indeed designed as one in four parts. And not four separate entities that are simply allied to one another.

But it is subtle to say the least, as aesthetically speaking, everything point the other way, yet it is not.

I am starting to think, that the apparent "complaint" of the implementation from many players is solelly based to the fact that the design is subtle and not explicitly explained or made apparent graphically.

A question of perception it is.