Rome help.

[Archlord]

Hi. Just downlloaded your mod, very cool.
But i am getting a little frustrated of having to conquer and expand for money. My Republic spans over italy and the Po Valley and still, after awhile i have to go conquer something else to have money otherwise ill go broke so
Could anyone help me with getting money without having to expand?

much appreciated

[thelord]

try to cut down on your troops, only have as many as you need otherwise your going to be wasting shedloads of money as the upkeep is a lot higher than in vanilla. Also its very important you have good administrators in italy as they make a huge amount of cash. If there are any rebels in italy no matter how small, kill them, as they will block most of your land trade. Build good trading docks aswell i find they give you a nice amount of cash aswell.

[King Arthur]

As mentioned by thelord - make sure you have Govenors with good administrative skills in all your cities with Ancilliaries such as Merchants, Librarians etc. Also upkeep is a BIG drain on resources, once you have conquered a new provence look to see if you really need all those soldiers? Also make sure you have a balanced army - too many Triarii or Cavalry (very expensive!!) in one stack will surely make you go bust! Build trade buildings in ALL Italian cities - you have a fantastic starting position as all your cities have ports and sea trade is the most lucrative. So build trade ports, markets, paved roads and also do not overlook Graineries and Temples - these buildings give trade bonus'. Gather trade rights with all factions which have coastal cities - if you are not at war with: Carthage, Eperios, Greeks etc then obtain trade rights. EB will allow for slow expansion if you build up your economy first. once you kicked Epeiros out of Italy, take time to build up your infrastructure, if go tearing after Sicily and the Gallic tribes too soon, your fragile finances will not be able too handle the army upkeep.

[QuintusSertorius]

Gauls and Greeks are too important to trade with, to go warring with them early on. Carthage is also one of those whom you war with only when you have to, because unless you're planning to conquer them, they're your best trading partner.

[Titus Marcellus Scato]

Yeah, I'd be reluctant to start the 1st Punic War for that reason, playing the Romans. I'd prefer to wait unti the Carthaginians actually conquer Messina (or Syracause) for themselves before taking any action against them.

[QuintusSertorius]

Although if, like me you're playing historically, you could end up waiting a very long time for them to attack Messana. Especially with the notifications of the past treaty that pop up if you send troops over there. Presumably there's something similar that affects the AI?

[Titus Marcellus Scato]

I was referring to a non-historical Roman campaign.

If you're playing strictly historical, then you have to attack Carthage in 264 BC.

But in a non-historical campaign, I prefer to put off the war with Carthage as long as possible while I take Taras, Rhegium, Bononia, Segesta and Massilia. That lot, added to my starting five territories in Italy, gives me a nice little empire and puts me on a more even footing with Carthage before I take them on.

[QuintusSertorius]

Even if you are going historical, you should have added Taras, Rhegium, Bononia and Segesta before the First Punic War starts anyway. Though the latter two were very close.