The senate loves me.



You can play on after achieving the Imperial campaign victory conditions.

My senate rating was high but after 40 settlements under control it went down fast. At a rating of 2 there was a suicide request, which for the safety of Brutii empire, I accepted. I was weak in Italy. In his will the faction leader instructed his heir to use the time wisely and build a force to battle Rome because for sure another suicide demand will be made. Sure enough a few turns later another demand was made and refusing it triggerred civil war. Took three turns from that point to control all the Italian mainland.

Had I wanted to initiate the war with Rome I would have used assasins against its leaders. Failure of a mission can trigger SPQR declaring you an outlaw and triggering civil war.