Many things in the the game seem to have a inpirational reference in the real world on which they are based.
So I thought maybe we just start a thread and see what similarities we can find. I always find it interesting to see what the designer took as RL archetype.




Khajiit:
The Arabic League. They live in deserts, travel with caravans and drink skooma. Much like the ancient arabic nomads. Skooma seems to be a reference to smoking opium. The feline theme is probably due to the cat being a very praised and worshipped animal in the ancient egypt (Wiki: Praised for controlling vermin and its ability to kill snakes such as cobras, the domesticated cat became a symbol of grace and poise).

Redguard:
Judging from the little bit I came across I would say they are african inspired. At least the faces show the unique marks. I havent had much to do with them. Maybe someone has some more input?

Nords:
This seems to be pretty straight forward Viking / Scandinavian mythology re-interpreted. Asgard -> Sovengard, Valhalla -> Hall of Valor etc. Do this is basically Denmark, Norway and Sweden

Orsimer:
Orcs are common fantasy stuff by today, but I believe Tolkien started with them in fantasy literature, though purely as evil creatures. Tolkien was probably inspired by irish mythology, but maybe also scandinavian. So the Orcs in Skyrim seem to be a mixture of many sources, somehow originating a bit from Tolkien, with the added part of tribish life of gipsys. I dont think there is a fitting real world anology.

KDodds says:
Tolkien, FWIW, took "orc" from Old English meaning "demon" (Beowulf). There are other writings besides LotR in which Tolkien draws a connection between orcs and elves, and I think I remember reading somewhere that he later wanted to change the spelling to ork... anyway, their historic culture, to Tolkien, seems to be something like the Mongol hordes of the Khans.


Breton:
Well, my guts tell me this is a kind of old france chivalry without the knights Though it could also be the Great Britan. I dont know why they are so spell focussed, but judging from their background (highly cultural, good food) chivalry is definately a big aspect of them. I dont know much about highrock and how it looks.

Imperials:
They are heavily inspired by the holy rome and it's armies. Scaled armors, dark red and leather dominates. When I saw General Tullius the first time, I immediatelly thought of Caesar. Cyrodils hometown shows pride in architecture with many big pillars and the color white dominating. Much like the stereotypical made-up pictures of the ancient rome.

Argonian:
Swamp areas, feathers like native americans... this race has me puzzled. I have no clue, to me it seems like its entirely made up and has no real inspirational counterpart.


Please add you thoughts and of course the elves, cause I have not much clue about TES Elven lore.

Tolkien, FWIW, took "orc" from Old English meaning "demon" (Beowulf). There are other writings besides LotR in which Tolkien draws a connection between orcs and elves, and I think I remember reading somewhere that he later wanted to change the spelling to ork... anyway, their historic culture, to Tolkien, seems to be something like the Mongol hordes of the Khans.