I agree with Thaatu. I don't think how you are playing should be termed historically, rather it is more like "playing as if it was history". If you have a valid reason for entering into a war with gaul or Pontos then you shouldn't wait for an arbitrary reform date to do so. Just load up your armies with Polybian Principes, as the later polybian armies were prone to do as I understand, and take the fight to them. Role-playing is far more fun than following history, imo.

Foot