When winning, armies would bring back with them valuable and useful things. Was woundering...
For taking possession of catapults, cannons and such (maybe even slaves, which was a major use by Romans and Greeks), I guess it would be a nice thing, since it can have major consequences (had soem in History). Think of the following scenario: you go only with infantry to an ennemy territory and catch some of his catapults. You are now ready to attack him. But I am woundering what the capture of something your technology doesn't permit you to build would do... You could have a chance of getting a bonus when searching the concerned technologies? Maybe be able to using it later?
But this isn't only concerning catapults, but also all what is material. Swords where taken from a won battle, etc. Valuable stuff in general. Only valuable stuff since it wasn't worth carrying back shields (they were heavy) and all of it, if you already had one. But it is to be mentioned that in medieval times, knights would prefer to brake their sword instead of letting it to the enemy (can be read in the Roland's Song).
This two could be considered since it may change some things. As the slaves revolt in Roman's times, that took weapon from where they passed, starting with their bare hands, then forks, then armors they found and weapons. Same thing about the Bastille, French revolution. People tryed to take weapons. And guess what! If the best weapon you have is a wooden bat and you beat-up a knight, you may think of changing your bat for a sword. But maybe you wont be as efficient, since knight aren't formed only by equipment, they have been trained with the equipment. The thing is, what of all this can be implemented... in Civ III's add-on?