The authority instituted by Darius was that of his satraps.

He divided the whole empire into a number of separate governments--a number which must have varied at different times, but which seems never to have fallen short of twenty.

Over each government he placed a satrap, or supreme civil governor, charged with the collection and transmission of the revenue, the administration of justice, the maintenance of order, and the general supervision of the territory.

These satraps were nominated by the king at his pleasure from any class of his subjects, and held office for no definite term, but simply until recalled, being liable to deprivation or death at any moment, without other formality than the presentation of the royal firman.

While, however, they remained in office they were despotic--they represented the Great King, and were clothed with a portion of his majesty--they had palaces, Courts, body-guards, parks or "paradises," vast trains of eunuchs and attendants, well-filled, seraglios.