Cant capture territory without a peace treaty ?

[unmerged(196657)]

K how does one grow as a smaller nation when you cant keep what you capture >? I'm playing a nation with 3 provinces and I need to capture one of Carthage in order to start colonizing Africa but it seems impossible to do since the Carthage Juggernaut is never going to agree to peace and give up territory to me. What am I missing ?

 

[merserm]

I would pick on someone closer to your own size to get land.
Once you've grown to a size comparable to Carthage you'll have a chance to defeat them.
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If you are lucky you could catch Carthage while Rome is devastating them and make a quick strike for a province?
And Allied may help your situation.