Grendeldef
Trancerelic & coffeeholic
I think IRL Rome rolled a salt start, not tundra!
As far as I can remember I rolled quite a few maps for this one as well before getting a decently crappy one and what comes to spreading out I think there was room enough but not so much luxes & defending on two continents is tricky especially when possibly attacking on the 3rd. India shared the mainland but wasn't reachable with ease without a long & costly road.
There has been much better maps for wide Liberty in the series regardless of the Civ. The infamous Polynesia map is one those for example - solitude for the 1st 120 or so turns. The very easy Spain was another one where possible lack of happiness can be effectively compensated by strong religion.