A "satrap" was a governor in the ancient Persian Empire, responsible for overseeing a specific region or province. The term comes from the Old Persian word "khshathrapavan," meaning "protector of the province." Satraps were tasked with maintaining order, collecting taxes, and ensuring loyalty to the central authority, often the King of Persia. Satraps had considerable power and autonomy, but they were also expected to report back to the central government. This system allowed the vast Persian Empire to be effectively managed, as it was divided into manageable territories, each governed by a satrap who acted on behalf of the Persian monarch.