A satrap was a governor of the provinces of the ancient Median and Persian (Achaemenid) Empires and in several of their successors, such as in the Sasanian Empire and the Hellenistic empires. A satrapy is the territory governed by a satrap.
The Herakleia head, probable portrait of a Persian (Achaemenid) Empire Satrap of Asia Minor, end of 6th century BCE, probably under Darius I
A dignitary of Asia Minor in Achaemenid style, c. 475 BC. Karaburun tomb near Elmalı, Lycia
Coin of Themistocles, a former Athenian general, as Achaemenid Empire Satrap of Magnesia, c. 465–459 BC
Coinage of Tiribazos, Satrap of Achaemenid Lydia, 388–380 BC
The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who spoke the Median language and who inhabited an area known as Media between western and northern Iran. Around the 11th century BC, they occupied the mountainous region of northwestern Iran and the northeastern and eastern region of Mesopotamia in the vicinity of Ecbatana. Their consolidation in Iran is believed to have occurred during the 8th century BC. In the 7th century BC, all of western Iran and some other territories were under Median rule, but their precise geographic extent remains unknown.
Artistic representation of a Median man
Excavation from ancient Ecbatana, Hamadan, Iran
The Apadana Palace, 5th century BCE Achaemenid bas-relief shows a Mede soldier behind a Persian soldier, in Persepolis, Iran
Stone relief of a Median man
