Satraps were the governors of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as in the Sasanian Empire and the Hellenistic empires.

The word "satrap" is also often used metaphorically in modern literature to refer to world leaders or governors who are heavily influenced by larger world superpowers or hegemonies and act as their surrogates.

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As the head of the administration of his province, the satrap collected taxes and was the supreme judicial authority; he was responsible for internal security and raised and maintained an army. To guard against abuse of powers, Darius instituted a system of controls over the satrap

The satraps, appointed by theking, normally were members of the royal family or of Persian nobility, and they held office indefinitely. As the head of the administration of hisprovince, the satrap collected taxes and was the supreme judicial authority; he was responsible for internal security and raised and maintained an army. To guard against abuse of powers, Darius instituted a system of controls over the satrap. Top satrapy officials and the commander of the garrison troops stationed in the province were directly responsible to the king, and periodic inspections were carried out by royal officials. With the weakening of central authority after the mid-5th centuryBC, however, the satraps often enjoyed virtual independence. The satrapal administration was retained byAlexander IIIthe Great and his successors.