SATRAPY

VALDEMIR MOTA DE MENEZES

Received the name of the administrative unit satrapy of the Achaemenid Empire ( first Persian Empire , and also most of the late Seleucid Empires , Leave and Sassanid ) , ente predecessor of the modern Iranian state. The term originates from the ancient Persian language and means " province " , and passed into Greek and later into Latin . The highest authority of the satrapies was the satrap , or "protector of the province ," local administrators appointed by the king , who should collect tribute and conduct recruitment on its behalf . They also dealt with crises and upheavals , as well as ensured the defense against external threats .
The system of satrapies became feasible control of extensive territory of the Achaemenid Empire , allowing the collection of taxes , recruitment of military personnel , as well as a practical and rational control of local bureaucracy . Between 550 and 522 BC the empire has expanded rapidly , and to ensure control of the empire , Cyrus II the Great ( r. 559-530 BC ) and his son Cambyses ( r. 530-522 BC ) adapted to a larger scale the existing structures of empires predecessors . These structures in turn led to the consolidation of the hierarchical system of satrapies which remained essentially unchanged , proving to be an effective instrument of administration throughout the Achaemenid period