Originally Posted by
Septentrionalis
I too feel it is unrealistic that the generals are able to rule cities/regions at that age.
However, while 16 is clearly too young, I have been quite fascinated in my classical studies at how young especially upper-class Roman men would acquire positions of great responsibility and even power. Comparing with modern western standards, many had achieved quite much by their thirties. I guess they were reared towards important jobs from an early age and didn't have to attend twelve grades of school together with every imaginable moron in their community, then do odd jobs to support themselves through university (often taking much longer than 4 years outside the US) and be lucky if they can have their first real career job before thirty.