Satrap is an imperious cruel man. Currently, this is the name of a person who has committed bad deeds. In ancient times, to become a satrap means to receive the highest rank and title. Before such a person, subjects experienced reverence and respect. Obtaining such a title was revered for great honor and calling.
Meaning of the term satrap
Satrap is a cruel and imperious person. This term was used in relation to the rulers of ancient India, Persia and the Sumerian states. This concept is compared with the terms despot and tyrant, giving it great importance. In ancient Persia, satraps were called the governors of large territories - satrapies. In fact, this is the head of state with a high rank and title. The word "satrap" itself has Greek and Persian roots, and translates almost identically. This is the head of state, and the governor, and the rich, and the defender of the kingdom.
Satrap was the second man after the king. In the province under his administration, the king left the garrison. The commanders of the garrison had to control the activities of the satraps and inform the king about them. Otherwise, the central government did not interfere in the activities of the provincial government.
Satraps became the highest officials of the Persian state. Initially, the head of the fleet was vested with such a title, and then any high-ranking official. Representatives of the satraps were appointed from the court nobility. The satraps did not have clear boundaries and powers. In ancient Persia, the satrap could gain possession depending on the location of the king to him. The more respected the satrap was, the more power he could gain in his province.
The rights and obligations of the satraps
To become a satrap means to receive respect from the king. The tyrannical ruler of Persia, Darius, elected representatives from his family or court nobility to the post of satrap. Everyone was subordinate to the chosen governor in satrapy. There was no person who opposed the decision of the satrap. For this, the person appointed to this position thanked the gods, offering sacrifices and gifts to the temple.
Satrap on his territory monitored the collection of taxes and taxes, controlled the equipping of the army with weapons and food. In some cases, the head of satrapy could also act as supreme judge. The position of head of governorship suggested the possibility of making important decisions when convicting or releasing a person.
The activity of the satraps was controlled with the help of the royal garrisons. They were obliged to monitor the satraps, in case they decide to get complete independence from the royal authority. All residents of the regions, unlike the satraps and representatives of the nobility, had to pay a fixed tax. Excessive pay often led to rebellion against the tsarist government.
