I have managed to produce my own ten star general, but not early in the game. While watching the Scipii fight the Egyptians in Egypt I landed a diplomat there and bribed an Egyptian family member called Shabaka.

At this time I wasn't at war with the Egyptians but as I moved Shabaka up through the Levant hoping to get him to the Aegean coast of Asia Minor stopping on the way to continue my proping up of the Parthians, the Egyptians declared war on me and attack Shabaka and his mercenary army. He was victorious but the enemies kept on coming. During one game turn alone, Shabaka had to fight five battles in each of which he was thoroughly outnumbered or out classed but each time I managed to obtain victory.

By the time I reached Cilicia, Shabaka had become "the Defender" and was a ********** general. However, more Egyptians were waiting and before he reached my province at Halicarnassus he had become Shabaka Victor and although 10 stars are the highest you can get, i counted up his command points and if he could he would be a 16 Star General!!

To make matters even less believable, ever since he left Egypt, Shabaka and the core of his army has had the plague!!!