Achaemenidae is our Latin base using Greek, Achaimenidai, signifying descendants of Achaemenes whose tribe was probably the Pasargadae since that of Cyrus which explains the latter’s choice of burial site at Pasargadae.

Reaching the reign of Xerxes I (486 B.C. - 465 B.C.) Achaemenid rule had consolidated her farthest territorial boundaries, sweeping through a prodigious unexampled ensemble representing over forty-seven nations including certain semi-independent kingdoms and self-governing city states. Order and supervision were needed. Xenophon recorded the organization of the early satrapies (circa 559 B.C.). This system fell into place once ancient Persia’s rulers under Cyrus the Great, king of Persis, supplanted the Medes.*3 However there previously existed a Median territorial administration dating from circa 648, the difference between the two being Persia’s concept of a ruler’s divine right and satraps levering power in their king’s name, not their own. Darius increased their number from twenty to twenty-three, each with specified annual tribute quotas. Some sources count 20 to 28 satrapies under Darius’ reign, yet whatever the case there were never less than twenty. Satrapal regions were formed not exclusively so but principally as tribute producers.

The satraps were chosen by their kings from any social class although preference clearly shows as we shall see further with the origins of satraps, somewhat following a pattern as with the elite guard, “The Immortals” whereby alone Medians, Persians and Elamites were recruited according to Herodotus. There were exceptions of note such as the Old Testament’s Daniel (of the lion’s den).*5 Satraps were at times chosen from amongst the kings relatives or attached thereto by arranged marriages. Otherwise a satrap could be directly of the royal family such as : the future ruler Darius II, satrap of Hyrcania or Achaemenes (in Old Persian: khshathrapavan), brother of Xerxes I (Khshayarsha in Old Persian) satrap of Egypt. Subjects from all nations formed the imperial army however mostly Persians and Medes dominated the standing army — the spada.

Distribution of satrapies was subject to variations. It occured two were encharged to the same satrap. At times they shared power with certain dynasties left to rule by their conquerors. Three such examples were Cilicia, Cyprus and Phoenicia. Artaxerxes II carved Cappadocia into two satrapies, leaving one as Cappadocia and the other as Paphlagonia where a different language was spoken according to Strabo. The latter was another example of a self-governed region stemmed within it’s traditional dynasty by leave of the Achaemenides. After a revolt, Babylon was placed within the Assyrian satrapy.(see page7)

Satrapal terms of office were not defined but responsibilities of superintendence certainly were, such as collection and delivery of annual tax quotas, supervising justice, security, defence and civil affaires. Diplomatic negotiations and specific missions became their domain following certain circumstances. A royal secretary totally independent of any satrap, answerable only to the King as were the satraps, held annual military inspections, sometimes at random. On site, military matters rested in the hands of an appointed general (Karan in Old Persian - Karanus in Greek) wielding plenary authority, thus what military powers the satraps possessed cannot be definitely specified and clear-cut such as we are informed of it, however when they required a host (in or out of rebellion), they had one, and this speaks for itself.

An essential responsibility for each satrap was taxation assessment within provincial districts, each satrapy forming a cluster of districts ruled by administrators, also named satraps Hyparkhos in Greek. A treasurer managed the economy, incoming revenue and the treasury itself. (The mighty Achaemenid treasury was secured at Pasagardae) *4. After tribute was paid to the king the satraps and hyparkhos exacted further taxes or “gifts”, enriching themselves as they saw fit.