satrap

satrap, provincial governor in the Achaemenian Empire. The division of the empire into provinces (satrapies) was completed by Darius I (reigned 522–486 bc), who established 20 satrapies with their annual tribute.

The satraps, appointed by the king, normally were members of the royal family or of Persian nobility, and they held office indefinitely. As the head of the administration of his province, the satrap collected taxes and was the supreme judicial authority; he was responsible for internal security and raised and maintained an army. To guard against abuse of powers, Darius instituted a system of controls over the satrap. Top satrapy officials and the commander of the garrison troops stationed in the province were directly responsible to the king, and periodic inspections were carried out by royal officials. With the weakening of central authority after the mid-5th century bc, however, the satraps often enjoyed virtual independence. The satrapal administration was retained by Alexander III the Great and his successors.

The title of satrap was also used to designate certain Śaka chiefs who ruled over parts of northern and western India during the first half of the 1st millennium bc.