Satraps

Satraps were provincial governors in the ancient Persian Empire, appointed by the emperor to oversee various regions or satrapies. Their responsibilities included maintaining order, collecting taxes, and managing local administration and military forces. This system allowed the vast empire to be more effectively governed, as each satrap acted with a degree of autonomy while remaining loyal to the central authority. The term "satrap" has since come to symbolize a local leader or official who exercises significant power within a larger political framework.