Satrap

Satrap (Greek satrapes; Old Persian xšaçapāvān how to read ksatrapavan, " protector of the rule " ) was in the ancient Persian Empire the title of the governor of a larger province ( satrapy ). Satrap had a political-administrative and military leadership function, corresponding to a present governor.

Term development

The division of the kingdom or division into administrative regions of Darius I was Introduced This divided his dominions into so-called countries ( Old Pers: Dahyāva ) a. Since Herodotus these satrapies hot. The satrap was responsible for tax collection of his satrapy and had the great king provide troops in case of war. The Persian empire was divided into satrapies. According to Herodotus ( 3.29 ), there were 20 satrapies, after the grave inscription of Darius there were 29, in each case without giving the Persians.

From Alexander the Great and the Seleucid Empire this notion and function was reduced to the purely civilian administrative activity, ie without the military tasks that were transferred instead a strategist ( strategos ). Satraps are also attested among the Parthians who thus continued apparently administrative structures of the Seleucids. Further east they are covered even when the Indo- Scythians, who apparently resorted here on Greek administrative structures ( at least in the choice of words ).

Also in German grave inscriptions of the early modern period, the term satrap was used in relation to the management activities of lawyers, for example, in Trier in a grave inscription for the lawyers Meelbaum Jacob de Castel Mountain (1598-1671), whose son satrap of St. Maximin was.

Today, the word satrap is used in a sarcastic or mocking kind to people who serve their masters submissive or submissive, especially if it means disregarding the interests of the population.

Satrapies, according to Herodotus

Areas

Pictures in Persepolis

On the reliefs in Persepolis 24 nations are represented:

Grave inscription of Darius I

The grave inscription of Darius I includes 29 tributary countries of the former Persian Empire:

Book of Daniel

Another historical source is the book of Daniel in the Bible. In chapter 6:1-2 it says:

"It seemed Darius well, and he set over the kingdom 120 satraps, which should be over the whole kingdom, and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, so that these satraps continually took off their report and the king himself not for losers would. "

Epoch of Xerxes I.

Under Xerxes I ( 519-465 BC) are to the of Darius I ( 549-486 BC) ago known areas still Kush and the Ionians to expect beyond the sea, for a total of 31 without the satrap of Persis ( the Persian heartland ).