Aedui more advanced/powerful at campaign start in v8.1???

I made a fresh install and have v8.1 working but I am still a little paranoid after the loss of various units from last time so I started a new campaign with the Aedui.

The first thing I noticed was the inclusion of slingers into various existing groups of soldiers, replacing spearmen often, also that some of the settlements in Northern Italy etc were able to produce more advanced and proficient troops.

Has my game buggered up or is this a descision from the top?

Not that I'm complaigning, I welcome any help I can get when it comes to soldiers but I am still a little paranoid...

Both Gallic factions got a little boost in their starting setup.

We did decide to help their unit producing capabilities at the start - after comparing MIC levels with various factions, we did this in a number of places on the map, but with gauls it was maybe more obvious.