Paradox Interactive occasionally hosts "Free Weekends" on Steam where you can download and play the full game for free for a few days.
While is a premium game, there are several legal ways to experience it for free or at a significantly reduced cost through official platforms. Current Availability & Free Options Imperator Rome PC Game Free Download
The game has previously been included in the Xbox Game Pass library. While its availability on the service can rotate, subscribers get unlimited access to download and play it when it is part of the lineup. Imperator Rome PC Game Free Download
Even if you don't own the game yet, you can view the The Punic Wars Content Pack, which was released as a free permanent addition to the game. Imperator Rome PC Game Free Download