House of Brutii

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Named after the Brutii (a non-fictional people), the House of Brutii, one of the factions of the computer game Rome: Total War, are situated in the south of the Italian Confederation, or Roman Republic. Marcus Junius Brutus is the most famous bearer of the Brutus name, although at the historical time the game takes place, he was not yet born.

Another famous Brutus was Lucius Junius Brutus who led the overthrow of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, last Etruscan King of Rome, and founded the Roman Republic. In the game, the Brutii like to rub this in the other Romans' faces. They are extremely proud of their heritage as founders of the Republic, and do not feel like they ought to share their place with anyone. Politically, the are by far the most conservative. They are right-wing and do not tend to pay respect to the Plebians (unlike the left-wing Julii) or the gods (unlike the superstitious and reverent Scipii). They believe that they are the guardians of the Republic and all true Roman ways, and that no one else can claim this title.

When playing the game the player is trying to gain territory at the expense of the other factions. The faction usually fights the Greek Cities and Macedon, both situated to the east.

After some success, the player can start the civil war, which happened in real life, but not how the game portrays it. They must strike down the Roman Senate (S.P.Q.R.), and the other Roman factions: the House of Julii (the enemies of Gaul) and the House of Scipii (the arch-enemies of Carthage).

The Brutii receive the weakest gladiators, Velite Gladiators, but can recruit them before the other Romans can recruit their own. They receive no additional unique units, but their superior temples make up for the loss of a few rather specialized units in the late game.

The Brutii must have a good navy, as they are in the Southern Peninsula of Italy and will have to do their travelling by sea mainly.