How to become CONSUL? Marian Reforms needed!

[McAds]

To become consul you must have at least a command star too, and be over 50 years old

I've just had one of my guys elected consul at the age of 44. He's got two stars mind and quite a lot of influence, not to mention he’s an optimate. But still, as long as they're over 42, then its possible.

I should also add that a few turns before, Gaius Aurelius Cotta became Consul and the Censor in subsequent turns and he’d just got the subjugator of Athens title, while my young guy received the subjugator of the Peloponnese shortly before being elected consul. Do these factors have anything to do with being elected Consul? I can see how important conquests could have effected voting.