I agree with Cybvep, Syracuse would probably be a bad call: lodged right between Carthage and Rome, I can't see them surviving from very long. Carthage alone would probably take them out in the first couple of years, considering they would most likely start off in a war. And people think Pontus and Saba are difficult. In addition, was Syracuse really in a position to expand?
Syracuse would be extremly challenging an fun to play IMHO.
Also Syracuse as a rebel city lasts decades, Syracuse as a faction will probably last a lot longer bacause the AI is much more agressive towards the Rebels the other factions.