Population Growth + general bodyguard

1.During my latest Roman campaign i conquered Gallia, Germania, Britannia, South Hispania and Africa, the problem is the population growth. Almost every second turn i get message anouncing that 1 or 2 cities grow. I try to upgrade each city as soon as possible to avoid rebelions because my forces are busy with Ptolemies and Koinon Hellenon. Is it just my subjective impression or have you faced similar situation in your campaigns?

2. I also noticed that my generals usually have from 20 to 30 bodyguards, only faction leader has sometimes more. When i fought Carthage or any other faction, their generals had almost every time 60 or even more bodyguards. It is very difficult to beat these superhumans, but my question is how do i get the same numbers for my generals? Do i have to built some special buildings? Or does AI simply have this one unfair privilege? :laugh4:

As far as i know, influence and valour adds to your bodyguard. Also it helps to be faction leader. On huge settings i see roman bodyguards with more than 100 cavalry. So I dont think the AI has an advantage.

Influence + Faction Leader/Faction Heir. Also, factor in the fact that their valour can get obscene (double gold chevron on one of my generals) since they auto-regenerate.

I am playing on normal size and I have a Romani general stuck at 7 men. He is a 4 star general (about to be imperator) with a huge influence. Very strange. I have also noticed that his valor diminishes when his unit regenerates. He was then only one left in the unit after a battle (4 valour before) and when the unit was regenerated his valour was 3.