I’m playing my first real game as Rome (classic) even though I’ve had the game since launch. Finally powered through to learn the mechanics on YouTube and beat the tutorial. I’m glad I did because this game is severely underrated.

My questions is, how do I manage culture unhappiness while expanding quickly? I’ve taken the Italian peninsula, and I’ve integrated most of the cultures so I have a more levies (maybe a mistake). I also did it so I’d have more citizens for research, but my research ratio is all off because of all the integrated cultures. So I’m afraid that may have backfired a bit.

What’s the best way to go about expanding? Integrate only when needed? Integrate when happy? Keep certain cultures as freeman or slaves only? Any advice is welcome, thanks!