I thought of something and besides Game play and Plot reasons i can not see why the Imperials would not of executed Ulfric first instead of that nameless stormcloak that is the only one that loses his head.Does not really work in their favor so yea kinda makes me less willing to join them if they make that kind of mistake.

Actually, there is a reason. First, they need to read the last rights. We're not wholly sure of how worshipping the Divines works for them, but it seems that they do need to give last rites. The "Nameless Stormcloak" interruptes the rites, and basically says "Screw this, I'm first!" before marching up to the chopping block.

Second, Dragons haven't been seen for over 5,000 years, and they're deep within imperial territory at the time of the execution, in the middle of a imperial fort. Weather or not Ulfric goes first, his death is pretty much assured under normal circumstances. Are you going to blame the navy that gets defeated by a tidal wave brought on by a freak storm for not being prepared?

In fact, Ulfric may have been first had that one Stormcloak not interrupted. And if Alduin didn't decide to attack the fort.

Making him watch as all his soldiers die in his service adds to his punishment. In addition to which, it's a public execution meant to plant the image of Ulfric as a humiliated and defeated rebel firmly in the minds of everyone watching, and to assert Imperial might and authority as vividly as possible so that those watching will be all the more reluctant to question it in the future. In other words, he's putting on a show in the fine tradition of public executions everywhere.

You and the other prisoners are the no-name opening acts, Ulfric is headliner. When your goal is to put on a good show you don't send the headliner out first.

AH ok just seemed odd to me but that makes sense to me. make him suffer sort of thing.

They always execute the most important last. It's like a ceremonial formality. They must've wanted him to watch his close ones getting executed to make him suffer, before his life was taken away.

Well, to be fair, it only seems like a massive blunder because a dragon appeared out of nowhere. If nothing had happend, we would be noticing little things like this. Indeed, the captain, Tullius, or anyone might not have really paid any attention to the order of execution considering how unimportant it is.

fair enough i guess it only does matter because a dragon kinda messed up their day plan.

Also, this whole affair has been incompetently handled. A horse thief with no Stormcloak affiliation gets pulled in. Along with you... you're not on the list, and that captain effectively orders your murder. When Alduin char-broiled Helgen, he rid the Empire of some real doofuses.

I find it funny that the impatient stormcloak soldier coulve survived if he had let that priest complete their rites.

OK so i am not the only one that noticed that, Judas. After my first playthrough it is like no impatient stromcloak stop give the dragon a min more and you can survive. let them do those rites, ironically they will save you.