Where I most agree with the consensus:
1. Inca - largest empire in the Western Hemisphere before 1492. Sophisticated administrative system and network of roads.
2. Ottoman - A super power, to a great power, to a middle power, but always important. Conquered and defeated Rome.
3. Mali - I think they're more interesting than Songhai, but the Trans-Sahara/Sahel need representation.
4. Babylon - Honestly, the inclusion of Sumer is disappointing. Babylon had such a dominant presence in the region, influencing science, culture, religion as far as Greece. I would go with a Chaldean, but an Amorite is fine as well.
5. Portugal - Brazil is in the game. Portugal offers more, but this is the main reason why it is a shame if it's never included.
6. Ethiopia - Important power in East Africa. I'm glad we got Nubia, but Axum was a major player in Indian Ocean trade and its culture was really cool.
Where I most disagree (my omissions):
1. Maya - Truthfully, I just didn't see it. But you could make the case that (1) they weren't unified and (2) there are other Mesoamerican cultures that could be used to replace them. I'd still have the Maya, though, possibly in my top-10.
2. Byzantium - I am ok with Byzantium being its own civilization. But I would not be upset if they were just modified Rome. But Alexander getting his own civ makes me lean towards the former. Still not a top-10 choice for me.
3. Carthage - I'd like Carthage, though I'm against Hannibal being the leader. Still, I think Carthage is just treated as Hannibal's Army of the Second Punic War, even with Dido as the leader. I wouldn't be opposed to either Carthage or Phoenicia, but not top-10.
Where I most disagree (my inclusions):
1. Hatti - I assume from the poll that this can include the Hittites instead, because that's who I want. The late Bronze Age is woefully under-represented. You could go with the Mittani or Hurians, but I'd like Luwian representation.
2. Austria - I'll admit a special kind of agenda here. I'd like a Diplomatic Victory and I'd like Metternich as Austria's leader, similar to Bismarck for Germany (you could add him as well). Add Napoleon, Metternich, and Bismarck to flesh out 19th Century Europe.
3. Iroquois - The fact that this is 13th in voting shocks me. Iroquois are a mandatory civ for me. They were a Major Power in the North American continent, on par with the English, French, and Dutch. They were still a Minor Power by the time the United States formed, but they were fairly dependent on the British at that point. Nevertheless, not including them in the game seems wrong. They were my third vote behind the Inca and Ottomans.
4. Assyria - The major empire of the early iron age. Destroyed Israel (left Judah a vassal). Conquered Egypt. Conquered Babylon. Conquered the Phoenician City States. Conquered Elam. Maybe it's one dimensional, but I still want. Ability - razing a city distributes its population throughout the empire (or something).