User blog comment:Cyrice1/Stormcloaks or Imperials/@comment-5229167-20120707021551/@comment-5229167-20120707023109

They are loosely based on the roman empire, I'll give you that much, but the real ancient rome was much more savage. I also don't recall the empire of cyrodil condoning slavery either. Slavery was a huge problem in ancient rome, just look at Spartacus and all of the damage he caused.

But to address you're point, they aren't really an imperialist power either. They didn't conquer hammerfell, high rock, etc... they just assimilated them. Each province retains its uniqueness. You don't see hammerfellians running around with imperial armor on, they wield those "curved swords". Furthermore, Ancient Rome did have provinces, but those provinces had plenty reason to revolt against rome. Most were conquered and absorbed. Some were completely anihilated. The last "imperialist" emporer i can recall in cyrodil is Uriel VII. Maybe invading Akavir was a little imperialistic, but he wasn't a tyrant. He fought and died with his men, like any good leader would.