Obstinate Senate

[Khanny]

Playing the Scipii and I'm in place to stab my fellow Romans in the back while they're off campaigning but I can't seem to trigger the Civil War by way of cancelling trade rights or alliance with the Senate. I've sent a Diplomat to Rome and to one of their armies but no 'Cancel Trade Rights' or 'Cancel Alliance' options appear. The only place they're mentioned on the diplomacy screen is on the right under 'Current Treaties'. I've read through the Diplo Guide and searched the forums a bit but can't find any reason why this would be the case. Am I missing something blindingly obvious? Cheers

[El Diablo]

Sorry to inform you of this but to trigger the civil war you need to get your "popularity with the people" up enough that soon the senate starts to fear you. They (the senate) will then start to give you messages like..

"Make your faction leader commit suicide or face the consequences"

This is when you can trigger it. It can not be done when and where you want.

Go to the senate tab and check your popularity rating and that may give you a hint as to how far off the civil war is. If it is high enough then ignoring senate missions may peeve them off enough to instigate the civil war.

What year is it and how many provinces do you control???

ED

[Khanny]

Really? Bugger. I was going with what the https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=45315 guide said about triggering the civil war. I knew popularity with the masses / unpopularity with the senate would trigger it eventually but cancelling agreements seemed so much more convenient, just a bit too convenient :)

It's around 150 and 've got 12 provinces (just N. Africa and Sicily) and five armies. Egypt is the only viable target but 've been holding off going after them lest the civil war trigger while 'm down there.

From memory: The Julii are down to 1 point of popularity with the senate (but have been for a while now) and the Burtii are just above half popularity with the masses.

[Zanar]

theres a number of different ways to activate the civil war

1: gain high popularity with people

2: gain high popularity with senate and have a family member in the highest position in the senate (pretty sure thats the one i got, although i like to keep
both fairly balanced.)

i think theres more complex ways too but i haven't done any testing.

[El Diablo]

You may be right however a quick scan of the forums showed this..
(Previously written by "Mightyoates")

"As noted, you need the "chance to power" event (8 or more popularity with the people). Or, you could get the senate to hate you (2 or less popularity with senate). They will ask your leader to commit suicide.

Unfortunately there is no other way to start the war. You have to wait for these events. The game stops you from commiting any acts of war on other Romans before that."

So you need the chance to power even first sorry...

[Khanny]

Nuts. Oh well, off to pay Pharaoh a visit.

Any idea if those conditions apply to the other two Roman factions or only the player controlled one?

Also, are there any other effective ways to piss off the senate apart from failing to do their missions (have been doing this for quite a while) and attacking factions they like?

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi and welcome Khanny!

Any idea if those conditions apply to the other two Roman factions or only the player controlled one?

Yes, they apply to both AI and player. However, the AI infrequently will start the war straight after the option has arrived, which gives you a short time of preparation.

Also, are there any other effective ways to piss off the senate apart from failing to do their missions (have been doing this for quite a while) and attacking factions they like?

There are two alternative ways of dropping the senate's love for your faction other than ignoring them. You can send the generals that provide bonuses for your senate popularity (see their traits) on a one way trip into enemy territory to rid yourself of their bonuses or, alternatively, you could gain as much popular support as possible - the senate hates a man who is loved by the plebeians! You can increase this rating by winning the majority of your battles, everybody adores a hero, and conquering plenty of territory for the glory of Rome! Also this tactic could work in the opposite direction by providing you with a high enough popular standing to begin the civil war without having to refuse senatorial demands.

Hope this helps, good luck, cheers!