playing Prince on Marathon, it's the year 846AD and Shaka, Genghis have 2 vassals

each. Shaka has Mansa Munsa, and Victoria. Genghis has Cyrus and Bismarck. I'm the only other Civ. I'm on Pangea and thankfully i'm on a side of the map, so not sandwiched in between all the other Civs.

Is this normal at Prince level and higher?