Pacifying barbarians...

[Sar1n]

So, I got a problem with the whole culture thing. I started invasion into Iberia, just recently conquered by Carthage....and there seem to be no way to actually hold on to those settlements. I tried exterminating, razing the temple and building martial law, but still the order is under 50% with full garisson, so it is impossible to hold on to them...and that is crazy, when I have more troops in town than inhabitants. Is there anything I am missing?

[Lorry]

Chances are Carthage built a colony in the barbarian city, so the inhabitants are about 100% Eastern civilised. When you (I presume you're playing as Rome (or at least a Western civilised faction)) conquer that city, the city will be converted to the barbarian culture, which isn't present therefore drastically reducing the public order.

There are two options: a) Hold the settlement long enough to build a colony. b) Try getting the city Barbarian again.

Hope that helps.

[Sar1n]

Yea, I thought it will be something like that...the population there is actually mix of barbarians and eastern. I am going to try scorched earth policy...raze everything and reconquer later after carthaginians are gone.

[DimeBagHo]

The easiest method is to give the settlement to a barbarian faction and wait for the culture to change, then take it back. Also, have you tried building the second level of martial law?

[Sar1n]

Eventually I managed to "convert" a few settlements with second level of martial law, although the price was steep...getting a stronghold in area where they're surrounded by barbarian and eastern areas is making it hard to get western population there. Constant attacks from Carthage and some revolts reduced my four and half stacks of troops to dust, but I managed to get four settlements under my rule in Iberia, and now, first post-marian legion has landed there. This time, I won't let my rule of Iberia slip...

[tefras14]

Train about 10 diplomats and put them there. I know a lot of people frown on this tactic but since they all have 5% western civilized on them you can convert the area fast.