I know what you mean, but it's not a 'game ruiner' for me - just try to avoid using AI assisted allies - move your general out if there's going to be a battle, merge him with your other army, whatever - I know that's all pretty obvious.

But one thing I've found playing with the Seleucids on v.hard, is that your general is often - at least at the beginning of the game - not onlyyour best, but your only real offensive unit. As the manual says, throwing him into battle at the right moment can often change the tide of the fight, often, it's your only chance of winning. I'm not saying this forgives an AI general charging a pack of spearman head on, but I've had to accept quite a high attrition level for my generals just because they have to be used as an offensive unit, usually in the thick of the fight, and you can't afford for them to just hang around behind your infantry line boosting morale or just pelt round mopping up routing units.

And look at Alexander - he'd lead charges, was first to the walls in many of his sieges and would always fight in the front line; Ceaser himself would always be in amongst his troops where the fighting was most intense. We've heard about those two, but maybe CA are right and most generals were like that in classical times - we just don't hear about them much cos they all died aged 16 after charging an enemy phalanx... ;)