It is possible to play as any faction by changing the descr_stat.txtdescr_stat.txt
file. However, this is not an official mod, so do this at your own risk.this is not an official mod, so do this at your own risk.
This website will be helpful (if you're not confident in changing game files I wouldn't do it).
This will tell you how to change all the factions in the game into playable (all but rebels, as rebels = slave), even the main Roman Senate faction. Playing as Rebels/slaves or Roman Senate is buggy so not recommended for regular play.
The descr_strat.txt
descr_strat.txt
file can be found in the data\world\maps\campaign\imperial_campaign folderdata\world\maps\campaign\imperial_campaign
folder[...[the] [the below] section section determines which factions are playableplayable[...To] To change this, simply simply cut and paste them into another section.
The section of descr_strat.txt
you're looking for looks like this:
playable
romans_julii
romans_brutii
romans_scipii
end
unlockable
egypt
seleucid
carthage
parthia
gauls
germans
britons
greek_cities
end
nonplayable
romans_senate
macedon
pontus
armenia
dacia
numidia
scythia
spain
thrace
slave
end
Bonus tip: You can look in the building browser of cities you do not control to see the units/buildings for that faction.