Ignoramus
Thats why I keep a DVD with all the game backed up (as folder not as installation).
Silver
Spain has a fairly nice geopolitical situation, with not so many threats and they are (as all barbarians) balanced and not so poor any more.
Thrace has a tough living in the balckan triangle.
But as I said before all factions will be fairly balanced. The order is just for the sake of having one. The legiones are reportedly tough in autocalculated, if we had the battles online then the order would be completely different.

Hellenes