Ranked Admirals

[Parmenion]

I've seen many AI controlled factions that have Admirals that are ranked (ie; have 1 or more stars) but none of my units have ever had an admiral of any note. Do you have to train admirals specially or do you need to put a faction heir in command of the fleet?
I'm currently the Carthaginians and I totally own the mediterranean but I have no admirals with any ranks.
Also, in every naval battle I have (and I win 90% or more battles at sea) none of my units have gained experience - ever.
Is this a known bug?

[71-hour Ahmed]

Nah, I've had a two star admiral in one game dominating the eastern mediterrean. Maybe you are too dominant in your naval battles, or need to let the same ships fight several battles?

[Lichgod]

In my Carthagian long campaign, I eventually got some 2 star admirals by building the 3rd sized ship at Syracruse. I dont think I recruited at any other location, just normal ships. Not every ship built there and it was awhile.

[Nelson]

I have a Scipii admiral with 4 stars. Admirals can have retinues like generals. Ships built in ports or spending time in ports having academies, scriptoriums or curias can add to an admiral's retinue resulting in extra stars.

[SpencerH]

I have a Scipii admiral with 4 stars. Admirals can have retinues like generals. Ships built in ports or spending time in ports having academies, scriptoriums or curias can add to an admiral's retinue resulting in extra stars.

I also have a 4 star admiral as the scipii and whole boatload of two stars. In fact, I have too many admirals since they cant merge fleets (ie I cant have a stack with two 2 star admirals).

I'm not sure if they only occur when you build quinqiremes but thats how it seems to be.

[RedKnight]

Nelson, thanks for that tip - it makes a lot of sense. I know where I'm gonna park my boats a little while!

But Spencer - did that port have a library, like Nelson said? Try building a bireme in that same port. Or a quinqereme elsewhere. (I just started a new game so I'd be hard put to do either.)