I did a quick search and couldn't find anything so I apoligize if this has been asked before.

Who holds more power in the Empire? I read that a lot of generals are Colovian while many diplomats are Nibenese, so which of these groups have more power? And have more Emperors been Colovian or Nibenese?

I'm not quite sure, but I would guess the Nibenese hold more power, only because the Imperial City is Nibenese and diplomats are the more powerful group in a civilized society. As for emperors, I'm not sure. Plus, Imperials are commonly stereotyped by Nibenese stereotypes(educated, smooth talkers).

Colovians hold the military might and have typically taken over the Nibenese during unification of Cyrodiil with Tiber and Titus. With Alessia and Reman, the two groups came together against a common enemy.

Alessia was fully Nibenean. Reman was a son of Hrol (Colovian) and Alessia (Nibenean), but raised in Colovia, and hence I'd say he's Colovian too. Both Tiber and Titus are also Colovian. However, the dynasties tend to assimilate more Nibenean features as time progresses, since they are in the middle of the Niben. I'd say Cyrodiil city is its own distinct culture, both separate from and a unification of Cyrodill's parts.

Interesting, thanks for the answers ^_^

I think the greatest strength if the Cyrodill race is in their ability to blend both cultures, emphasizing the best parts of both Nibenese and Colovian culture. I prefer to think of the Imperial City as a place where these two cultures blend together, not belonging to exclusively either. It's true what others say, however. When it comes down to civil war the Colovians have had a clear advantage in the past. I think that without Nibenese influence, the Imperial culture would be an impoverished and pale reflection of itself however.

Ahh, so they complement each other very nicely. That's a good point.

Boy the Imperials are a little bit more interesting than I thought!

As far as powerfull persons, Colovia has the Count of Skingrad who is rumored to hold great powers as a sorcerer.

The Nibenese are very good talkers, diplomats, merchants, and they created the Battlemages.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Rislav_The_Righteous

Mind the part where it says, "In typical Colovian fashion, there was no trial, no accusations of treason, no jury, no judge. Only an executioner."

They have the right idea.

Interesting to see so many answers that vote in favor of the Nibenese; maybe these people are just better educated in Elder Scrolls lore than I am, but I would have said the Colovians simply by comparing the cities. Bravil is basically a slum, and Leyawiin isn't really all that great, either, possibly due to nasty racial tensions made worse by the local castle. I have seen conflicting accounts as to whether Leyawiin should be considered Nibenese, though, although if you count Cheydinhal as Niben then they have something alright going for them.

However, Colovian cities like Skingrad and Anvil definitely seem like cities with more power and respect than those previous cities I mentioned, and I get the feeling that Kvatch wasn't a bad city that we never really got to see in Oblivion. Chorrol also isn't a bad town, if a bit small.

The Imperial or Cyrodil city seems too cosmopolitan to be called one or the other, to me.

Well...it'd be more accurate to say that Nibenses beat out the Colovians in terms of economics, magic, diplomacy. The Nibenese are very tricky people, who values speech and bartering skills.

The Colovians would win out in terms of agriculture and military, due to living in more of a rolling plains the farther west you go (even before the retcon), and being more nordic of the two groups, have a strong affinity to military (as seen in many games, most officers and soldiers were Colovians when they had some backstory. Even Tiber Septim started out his campaign with the Colovians). Of the times when there was in-fighting for unification, it was the Colovians that struck and won every time (Tiber Septim and Titus Mede). The Colovians, however, are more inclined to be blunt, and are very independent.

Politically? I'd say they're split.

Sounds like the crime system used in Arena.

Good question.

Nibenese. They're buttery smooth.