Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-50.10.177.94-20130209065558/@comment-5737364-20130211045910

Equil, the sovereign state of Hammerfell repelled the Thalmor on their own. I possess doubts that they can rally the power to take on the Empire, or vice-versa.

The current Empire isn't even the Septim Dynasty, and therefore is should not be treated as the same Empire. As you said, it was conquered by a Colovian Warlord. To a more direct note concerning your post, the possibility of yet another take-over is a very real one indeed.