satrap

satrap (sā`trăp), governor of a province (satrapy) of the ancient Persian Empire. He was nominated by the king and given extensive powers. Darius I reorganized the privileges and duties of his satraps in the 6th cent. B.C.; the number of satraps varied from 20 to 28 during his reign. To prevent the concentration of power in one man's hands, certain officials, responsible only to the king, checked up on the satrap. The king also regulated the taxes and imposed a fixed sum upon each satrap. Alexander the Great revised the system, replacing Persians with Macedonians and reducing their powers. The command of the troops was taken from the satraps, who lost the right to engage mercenaries and to issue coinage.

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satrap

Provincial governor in the Achaemenian empire. Darius I (r. 522–486 BC) established 20 satrapies with an annual tribute. Appointed by the king, satraps were usually of the royal family or Persian nobility and held office indefinitely. They collected taxes, were the highest judicial authority, and were responsible for internal security and for raising and maintaining an army. Controls guarded against the abuse of power, but after the mid 5th century BC, with central authority weakened, satrapies became virtually independent. Alexander the Great and his successors retained the satraps.

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satrap

1. (in ancient Persia) a provincial governor

2. a subordinate ruler, esp a despotic one