11 Best Nations in Imperator Rome

There aren’t many fun nations to explore in Imperator Rome unlike Crusader Kings and Europe Universalis franchises. The game is all about the nation of Rome / Roman Empire after all. However, there are still some key nations you can play and enjoy in Imperator Rome. You’ll definitely like some of the suggestions below, especially if you’re into role-playing aspect of this game.

Top 11 best starting nations:

1. Rome

imperator roman — Born where the Greek south meets the Etruscan north, Rome has quickly risen to be the dominant force of central Italy and the leader of the a league of allies that stand ready to do their bidding. Rome’s unfailing capacity to mobilize its population and acquire the loyalty of the city states under its protection has over time grown into a strong imperialistic heritage.

Rome is obviously the number one Imperator Rome fun nations to play. Simply because the game is made for Rome, designed for Rome, and set in an ERA where Rome is basically the main protagonist.

It got all the flavor, all the quests, and all the possibilities. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve started a new Rome campaign.

So, what to do if you already played with Rome? Well, you can experience different playthroughs by going different ways.

Have you ever tried playing tall Rome after consolidating Italy and Magna Grecia? That’s one fun campaign. Also try one Rome playthrough where you deify your ruler and become a life-time dictator just like the Julius Caesar.

I don’t know why but I find role-playing playthroughs much more fun that world conquest.

2. Carthage

imperator carthage — Founded as “the new city” centuries ago by the settlers from Tyre in faraway Phoenicia, Carthage is now the uncontested leader of the Punic, or Western Phoenician world. Her heritage is one of a strong naval and mercantile power, often led to greatness by charismatic generals.

Carthage is the most influential and powerful nation of the mediterranean at the beginning. It’s also the Punic rival of the Roman Republic.

It’s the perfect nation to experience Punic wars and the battles between Hannibal and Scipio from Carthage’s perspective.

How to play Carthage? It’s very simple. Conquer Sicily, block Roman armies with your navy on Strait of Messina. Then consolidate North Africa, conquer Spain, and face the Romans Goliath when you feel ready.

3. Sparta

imperator sparta — Once the dominant power of the Greek world, Sparta remains the carrier of an ancient martial heritage that few can question.

Sparta is the best tall nation of Imperator Rome.

Take control of the Sparta 200 years after the death of Legendary Spartan King Leonidas. Consolidate Peloponnese, maybe invade Crete, and defend your nation against big players like Macedonia, Thrace, Antigonid Kingdom, and Rome.

Sparta is a small nation, but its armies are very strong. One might even say that the Sparta in Imperator Rome is the equivalent of Prussia in Europa Universalis. Space marines you know, or more like space hoplites!

4. Arvernia

imperator rome gaul — One of the more diplomatically influential tribes in Southern Gaul, the Arverni also has a strong tradition of artisanal production of metalworking.

Best tribe to form Gaul. It’s strong simply because Arvernia is a federated tribe unlike other tribe nations which are settled tribe. Differences are 3 idea slot vs 2 idea slot. Also +5% levy size. Arvernia was also the strongest tribe in Gaul historically.

It’s often considered the Rome of Gaul. I would highly recommend you play Arvernia to experience the Gaul and form the Gaul for a change instead of destroying it.

The fertile land of Gaul contains many tribes and peoples, living in a prosperous, if tense, relationship. For some, this fractious existence is a sign of the old ways – instead, new methods are needed if our people are to survive in the era of civilization and empire. The task is not light, but perhaps we might be the driving force behind the unification of the Gallic people?

5. Syracusae

imperator rome syracuse — Syracuse is one of the older Greek colonies in the west and it has on many occasions been a local power contending with the other Italic, Phoenician and Greek powers on equal terms. Over time, with the growth of Roman, Etruscan and Carthaginian power the city had to adapt to an ever more militarized reality.

Syracusae is probably the hardest start in Imperator Rome. Simply because it’s a nation stuck between the Rome and the Carthage. But if you manage to survive, you’ve beaten the hardest challenge of the game.

Your main strategy should be killing Rome early with mercenary armies and allying big powers like Etruria. It’s hard but doable.

Can form Sicily or Magna Graecia kingdoms also.

6. Macedon

imperator rome macedon — Under the Argeads Macedon was built into the premier military force in the Greater Greek region, uniting mainland Greece under one rule. Even after the death of Alexander and the rise of the Antipatrids Macedon has an uncontested rule among Greek states, with the Macedonian barons making up the core of a strong military machine.

Macedon is the strongest Hellenic power in Greece. It’s the perfect choice for consolidating Greece and becoming a major power taking no crap from anyone!

After uniting Greece and stopping Rome from expanding, you can go and take Reunite Aleksander’s Empire to form Hellenistic Empire.

It’s a good choice for relaxing gameplay because of its position, quests, and government type which is aristocratic monarchy.

7. Bosporan Kingdom

imperator bosporan — The Bosporan Kingdom is an example of the heights overseas colonies can achieve. Uniting the trading posts of the Khersonesos, the powerful Spartokid dynasty rivals the Hellenistic kings of the east in ambition and treachery.

Best or rather second-best tall nation to play in Imperator Rome happens to be the Bosporan Kingdom. Why? Because its capital province is very populated, has 5 cities, filled with ports, and produce almost unlimited amount of food. What more you can ask for a tall playthrough?

Bosporan Kingdom also starts with horse archers which is the best cohort type in the game. What’s more, you start with Persian rural traditions unlocked. Which has multiple bonuses to your killer horse archer units.

8. Armenia

imperator armenia — The kingdom of Armenia was founded many hundreds of years ago and has kept true to its own heritage for generations, even under the Achaemenid’s and Alexander the Great the kingdom has preserved its own traditions of kingship and warfare.

Armenia happens to be one of the world’s oldest nations. That alone makes it a good nation to play in Imperator Rome. But there is more.

First one is obviously horse archers and Persian Rural traditions. You can have space marines / horse archers.

Your population will be very low. However, there are many nations to conquer all around your nation. Your only challenges are Seleukid and Antigonid but they always fight with each other.

9. Antigonid Kingdom

imperator antigonid — Few generals had as many unlikely successes as Antigonos Monophtalmos and his son Demetrios Poliorketes. Their heritage is one of strong siege-craft, and of championing the free Greek cities of the Mediterranean.

Antigonid Kingdom might be very hard to play for newcomers. But Antigonid Kingdom is one of the strongest nations in the game. How can it be hard? It’s the Wars of the Diadochi.

All Diadochi kingdoms have Legacy of the Alexandar casus belli on each other. With this CB, Antigonid Kingdom must quickly attack almost everyone and conquer certain provinces. If you fail this task, Antigonid will be splintered into tiny little pieces upon the death of King Antigonos.

As if that is not enough, thousands of Gauls will attack and try to form historical Gallic nation of Galatia in Anatolia region.

10. Egypt

imperator egypt — When Alexander died Ptolemaios Soter made certain that he was to be granted the richest and most prosperous land that he had known during the military campaigns under his former liege. Egypt is both the breadbasket of the Mediterranean and the carrier of a legacy going back millennia. With its wealth, and drawing from its traditions as well as those of the Hellenic world, Ptolemaios set out to build a state famed for its patronage of religion and culture.

Egypt is another Diadochi lead by Ptolemaius. It also has Legacy of the Alexandar (Imperial Challenge) against other nations lead by Alexander’s generals.

Gaius Julius Caesar: Shame on the house of Ptolemies for such barbarity, shame.
Pothinus: But – you are enemies!
Gaius Julius Caesar: HE WAS A CONSUL OF ROME!
A consul of Rome. To die in this sordid way, quartered like some low thief… shame!

Egypt has the strongest economy in the game. You can basically do anything or expand anywhere you want. I consider Egypt an easy starting nation.

11. Epirus

imperator epirus — The green lands of Epirus were long divided between various states but have in time been united under the fist of the Molossians, often allied with the neighboring Argeads of Macedonia.

Final nation recommendation for Imperator Rome is a small state located at the north-west coast of Greece. It’s definitely worth playing if you got the content pack.

Epirus Content Pack DLC adds 3 mission trees, unique army model, new ship models, special Epirote Monument, 6 event chains related to the life of Pyrrhus of Epirus, 3 additional Epirus event chains, and one new music track.

Famous Pyrrhic victory is named after King Pyrrhus of Epirus who is a descendant of Alexander the Great.

A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. Such a victory negates any true sense of achievement or damages long-term progress. – Wikipedia

Mother of Alexander the Great was the daughter of king Neoptolemus I of Epirus. There you go, some more flavor for your campaign!