I agree, and it's why I asked @Genava55 about giving different playthroughs of the celts (Gaul & Brit) depending on tribes.
When you say this alpha, do you mean A25, or do you mean A24, I thought the changes were unpopular?
To answer your question the removal of the ptol bonus was apparently a forum request https://code.wildfiregames.com/D3329
Could still be some nice ideas in the design docs http://docs.wildfiregames.com/design/gameplay/civs/ptolemies.html#team-bonus
That being said, I'm a casual player, and I don't know much about balancing or how to make this game better with that regards, That's why I created this advisory comittee.