We have found with Quo Vadis that people often underestimate the value of the 1vp chits for helping others out.
Sure you could get lucky and set up for a string of fives, but generally the amount of maneuvering you have to do to get two or three points is nothing compared to what you can make in other people's turns by helping them out.
It's because of this 'cooperation is the key to success' factor that we usually only play this game after we've played a really bitter game where everyone is still smarting and looking to stab other players in the back. It's our own little meta-game.
I thought the pieces were meant to be fasces.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasces
Good game.
*eh*