I have played up to Emperor, but don't enjoy the extra work involved, if you know what I mean. Prince is easy for me, so I'm alright if you want to put me at Monarch. This is a human game though, so I'd suggest keeping everyone at Prince, unless you truly are godly in this game and love micromanaging.
I agree with giving some civs a slight leg up (warlord vs. Prince for example.)
Normal map, yes.
Speed epich please, but I can adjust to normal...might take practice.
I'd say we let the AI play Rome, heck turn Rome into a monster Civ, allow them to play at Warlord for example. This will make it so no Human can use the Legion on another Human (quick game) and will give us a reason not to leave a flank open (other than the other humans). I would also like to see a more aggressive Scythian and Illyrian pressence.
I'm not a massacist, but it's strange how it usually turns into a game of me trouncing one civ after another with one flank wide open and barely defended.
As for availability: I'm in San Diego next week on travel, no kids, muahahah, no wife with me either...so if you want to get a jump start that would be a great time. Other than that, I'm going to Disney World the first week of September. After that, I'm on travel again, bah...but again, I'll be available every night

So, I will be back to normal-ness starting the second week of September.
P.S.
Is PBEM totally out of the realm of possibility? I know it's slower, but we might get more consistent play that way. If not, I'm good with a solid couple hours here and there, especially Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekends are iffy.