[Kristoffer O]

The yearly death was indeed very frustrating when you played with many players and few senators were available. But it was a good way to stir the pot. Larger factions more often got affected, but unfortunately weak players could loose their precious senators as well.

The General magazine published an excellent article called something like '100 ways to be loose Republic of Rome'. It was very educating. Try to find it if you are still playing the game. It gave you opposing advice that would lead to the same end: your defeat. Examples: spend all your money on knights, spend no money on knights etc.