Well, now I've finally completed the first chapter's goals completely (finished Summer 255, turns taken 35) (to be written later today, I hope), I'll comment on the world position.

Rome are basically in Italy, and are attacking Messana too, they still lack some of the Northern Italian Gallic settlements, but have Massilia, IIRC.

The Seleucids have crushed the Ptolemies. They have taken all the latter's provinces in the Levant, as well as Memphis and Alexandria.

The Arverni are now a protectorate of the Aedui, and reduced to Gergovia, while the Aedui are expanding nicely. The Sweboz have rocket-expanded again and are busily killing of the Belgae.

I'll probably set goals for my next chapter when I write the end of this one up.