First move any valued save games elsewhere. Then uninstall both games, and then manually delete the game directory - this is important. Reinstall Rome - choose a new directory like c:\games\rome instead of the suggested path. Now test that the game loads and runs; if not, stop and post back here.
Then, only if Rome runs OK, install VV from Gamers Gate over Rome (ie in the same directory), then apply the 2.2 patch over that same directory. Now test again, and report back here.