Pronunciation: [sˈatɹap] (IPA) 
Satrap is a term used in ancient Persia to refer to a governor or ruler of a province. The spelling of the word "satrap" is phonetically pronounced as /ˈseɪ.træp/ which indicates that the first syllable "sat" is pronounced like "say" followed by the second syllable "rap" pronounced like "trap". While the spelling may seem peculiar, it is derived from the ancient Greek word "satrapēs" which was used to describe the same position.
Satrap is a noun that refers to a governor or ruler appointed by a higher authority to oversee a province or territory in ancient Persia. Derived from the Old Persian word 'khshathrapavan', meaning "protector of the realm," the term satrap was extensively used during the Achaemenid Empire (559-330 BCE).
In ancient Persia, the satraps ruled over a satrapy, which represented a region or province within the empire. They were typically selected from loyal and influential individuals who pledged their loyalty to the Persian king, often a relative or trusted advisor. Satraps acted as intermediaries between the central government and the local populace, responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and facilitating the implementation of imperial policies.
Satraps wielded significant political, administrative, and military powers. They were expected to ensure the welfare and security of the satrapy, while also contributing to the central treasury with taxes and tributes. However, the king maintained a level of control by closely monitoring satrap activities through royal inspectors, spies, and various checks and balances.
The position of a satrap was frequently subject to change due to political intrigue, conflicts, and the rise and fall of empires. Satraps played an integral role in Persia's government and were a crucial part of the overall imperial structure, preserving stability and extending the influence of the empire throughout its vast territories.
In anc. Persia, the name of the governor of a province; a kind of viceroy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "satrap" has its roots in ancient Persia. It is derived from the Old Persian term "khshathrapavan", which originally referred to a "protector of the kingdom" or a provincial governor appointed by the Persian kings. This term eventually evolved into the Greek word "satrapēs", which had a similar meaning. The Greek word was later borrowed by the Romans as "satrapa", and it eventually entered several other languages, including English, as "satrap".
