Originally Posted by
Gwayn
What worked for me when the game came out and imperium was the devil's punishment for playing:
Dissolve your alliance (think with the Suebians, can't remember), this will just pull you into unwanted wars otherwise. Trespass through WRE territory but don't declare war: Romans won't declare war on you and everyone else will love you for trespassing. Settle in Spain (get something around 60k gold before for conversion, the more the better) and conquer the whole Iberian peninsula after declaring war on the WRE. DO NOT GO TO NORTHERN AFRICA. I know this is the dream of some people playing this faction (or the Vandals) but desert attrition coupled with long distances and low development of roads makes conquering that place a huge annoyance. Include the competition from the Maurians, Africa and the Gaetulians and general low income from these cities and you are in for a hot fight. Spain on the other hand is an economic powerhouse. Be quick, some of the "vagabond" factions like the Jutes might settle there which means you either have incomplete provinces or a fight with them and their potential allies before you.
Gameplay on higher difficulties seems to be based around abusing everyone's hate for the Romans. *shrug*