I've been researching a lot about Rome lately all the way from the kingdom to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 AD mostly out of boredom and curiosity... and I've been trying to get a grasp on how many of the offices of the Tamrielic Empire function. I can't seem to find any solid information on the Elder Council particularly, how one is appointed. I understand it isn't elective like the Western Roman Empire's Senate but rather appointive like the Eastern Roman Empire's Senate but what is the criteria for appointment? Are there different ranks or just Chancellor and councilor? Do the various kings and queens of Tamriel have a seat on the council? And what is the title actually held by the head of the Legion? Is that the office held by Adamus Phillida or is he just in charge of the city guard? Obviously the Empire relates more to the East than the West in that the office of Emperor is hereditary and more singularly titular than the West but does the Elder Council reserve the right to depose and proclaim Emperors like the senate of Rome? I know these are a lot of questions but they kind of built up over time.

I've never been satisfied with the amount of lore I've found on the Elder Council; I've always wanted to know more about it.
I remember being sooo disappointed at not getting more information when you get the opportunity to break into the Imperial Palace in Oblivion. We never even *saw* another member of the Council besides Ocato.

One thing I'm certain of is that they aren't elected to the position.
They seem to have legislative control, and they probably have a fair bit of power. They effectively dethroned Pelagius when he went mad, and had him shipped off to an asylum. And of course, they have the power to choose the new Emperor when the throne is vacant.
I recall mention, probably in "Brief History of the Empire", of periods when the Elder Council had considerably more control over affairs than they should have. Uriel VI was the first emperor in quite a while to *actually* have reign of the empire, I believe.

This is tangential, but the East Empire Company is controlled by a board of executives appointed by the Emperor and chaired by the Emperor himself.