R5 : With every trick i know i manage to be only 9 province away from doing a custom nation able to create the rroman empire from start. I don't think there is anything else i can try to reduce it further
hmm, are you certain you've got the best points/provinces ratio? since rome itself is the only actual hard requirement you might be able to get closer by dropping some expensive provinces for more cheaper ones (basically don't take any centers of trade)