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 10 best starting nations:
1. Rome
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!