Does Pergamon become a major faction often in DeI?

[zombieflanders]

I'm somewhat new to DeI, but I've noticed that, for some reason, AI Pergamon repeatedly becomes a superpower, and apparently with such rapidity that even good old Alexander would be in awe. I first noticed it in an Odrysian Kingdom game where they overran most of Asia Minor (Galatia, Cappadocia, Sardes, and Armenia were all gone) by turn 25, and had made serious inroads into the Greek peninsula (no Athens) a few turns later. Then I saw this post over at the /r/totalwar subreddit where Pergamon steamrolled much of the east and the Arabian peninsula. And then in that same thread, someone else noticed that they had completely destroyed the Seluecids, Bythnia, and Sardes in the space of 4 years (20 turns), with stacks of relatively advanced units. It's likely that this is just some sort of confirmation bias, but I was just wondering if other folks playing in that corner of the world were seeing the same thing as me.

[Mark of Calth]

I saw it happen in vanilla a few times, but not really in DeI

[Augustusng]

In the campaign I'm playing right now (as Macedon) Pergamon managed to conquer most of Asia and Cilicia, and also some regions of Syria and Mesopotamia. Also I made them a client state a couple of turns ago. I don't know if that will decrease their expansion, since part of their income goes to me now.

[Fozzie]

I'm playing as Rome on normal right now. I'm at about turn 75, and Pergamon, Pontus, Bithynia, and the Seleucids have formed an alliance. Together, they control a large region, but no single faction has really run rampant. You can see in these attached images, though, that Pergamon only has two settlements. The most expansive have been the Suebi and Seleucids. Both have had back and forth territorial changes though. The Scythians recently formed a horde and have been pretty aggressive, but they're having trouble with the Suebi.
Overall, I've been fairly impressed with the balance. It's fun having a campaign where no individual faction just rolls over everyone (excluding me, of course ). It's been a nice, casual campaign so far. The biggest challenge I've faced has been an attack from the Illyrians when they confederated. They're now my client state.

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