"This software is free speech, not free beer."   Not sure how this is helpful.

It kinda useful because it gears your brain towards the freedom as in freedom from limitations not freedom from money.

I've always found this wording to be... unhelpful. 

On the contrary, I'd make the rarer siege units (catapults, bolt shooters) capturable so those civs lacking them can use them.

Mod update: Added detailed description in the first post. Technologies for researching Phase 2 and 3 gradually increase the characteristics of units(resource gathering speed, attack, defense, etc.). CivCenters can be build closer together. The minimum distance has been reduced from 200 to 120. Rebalancing of siege units.  The Arsenal is available from phase 1, but it takes much longer to build. Rams are available from phase 1, but they take longer to recruit and have lower stats.  When moving to the next phase, the construction time for the Arsenal is reduced, and the stats of the Rams are increased. Capture is only possible for Rams, as these units are available to all factions. Other siege units on phase 3.