I never actually noticed the Lorkhan parallel with the Briarhearts before. Although to be fair, it was only yesterday I actually noticed their hearts were replaced and that they were resurrected by hagravens. I don't think it's necromancy but rather some sort of resurrection, albeit one that makes the Briarheart reliant on his new, poorly secured, heart.
Well, the Imperials are divided culturally. Colovians and Nibeneans. West and East.
Oblivion did not do a good job showing us these cultural differences.
http://www.imperial-library.info/content/pocket-guide-empire-first-edition-cyrodiil
That is what Cyrodiil was like after hundreds of years of no unity. A lot can change in four hundred years.