Quote Originally Posted by Wonderland
I ask because my 50 year old faction leader became Consul, and of course he's got full or near-full management and influence.... and resides in Rome. I'd hate to take him out to lead an army to a far-off expedition at his age... and leave Rome without a proper ruler.
That's what you have the Praetor Urbanus for: the highest ranking (and hopefully best) of the Praetors who is, in terms of RTW, the permanent governor of Rome. In the early game with only few FMs and just one major army, I use the Spartan system with one Consul in Rome and one in the field, and don't assign a Praetor Urbanus.

Later with more theaters of war and more FMs, usually both Consuls are on campaign and Rome is governed by the Praetor Urbanus. He is also responsible to fight down rebells in Central Italy (the South is controlled by a Praetor Peregrinus in Taras, the North by the Praetor Gallia Cisalpina in Bononia). When I can afford it the Urbanus is also supported by a Quaestor to ensure that Rome always has a governor, even when the Praetor is fighting rebells.