Is there a way to lower barbarian power in a province you want to colonize?

[Marte006]

I'm Rome, and looking to expand further in northern Italy. But barbarian power is too strong in the provinces I'm able to expand into.

I've tried attempting to coax them into rising by moving a single-unit armies through the province, like you can get natives to rise up in the other EU games (since Rome lacks a button to attack natives), but that doesn't seem to do anything.

I'm about ready to try anything... Is there an event that'll do it? Or can I edit that in the save?

 

[Cheexsta]

Just be patient. Stick a unit of cheap mercenaries in the province and wait a few months - depending on the barb strength, they should rise pretty quickly. Don't expect it to take just days or weeks, allow a little more time to let the barbs rise.

And yes, you can edit it in the savegame. Search for the province's capital city name and find the entry for barbarian_strength.

 

[Pholanx]

I normally just send an army into the province and wait, then kill them all, move onto next place.
It helps if you keep killing off nearby Provinces as the regrow over time, but give you money and slaves and can help your characters gain popularity.
Just be careful not to send a huge army into a place with high attrition, they will die off.

 

[Marte006]

Thanks, all, that worked.