Little Kourosh, continuing his outline of "The Principles of Persian Governance" after designing the central institutions of power, now turned to the complex structure of administering the vast territories of the empire. He knew well that a great government does not remain stable with only a strong center. The philosophy of the Politics of Iranshahr was based on the principle of "Unity in Diversity," a principle that taught Kourosh how to bring diverse peoples together under the banner of a single, just empire without stripping them of their identity and culture. Therefore, he designed the system of "Satrapies," or governorships, with a new vision; a system that created a delicate balance between the concentration of power in the capital and the delegation of authority to local governments.
The empire would be divided into dozens of "Satrapies," or provinces, each a vast territory with its own specific geographical, cultural, and economic characteristics. Each satrapy would be governed by a "Satrap," or governor. The satraps would be chosen from among the Persian or Median nobility, and sometimes from among local elites who had proven their loyalty and competence. The emperor would personally appoint the satraps, and they would be directly accountable to him. The main duty of the satrap was to implement the covenant between the king and the people at the local level: ensuring justice (dād), maintaining security, and promoting prosperity through the management of public works projects. They were, in effect, the emperor's eyes and arms in the farthest corners of the land.
In each satrapy, there was a "Local Council," which was considered the beating heart of local administration and the manifestation of the principle of "Unity in Diversity." The members of this council were chosen from among the elders of the tribes, the heads of cities, and local wise men, either by the people's election or with the satrap's approval. The main duty of this council was to review the laws passed by the "Supreme Imperial Council" and to ensure their compatibility with local needs and customs. They also had the power to pass supplementary laws for their own satrapy, as long as these laws did not conflict with the general principles of the empire. This structure allowed local peoples to participate in their own governance and strengthened their sense of participation and belonging to the empire.
Kourosh believed that the efficiency of a government depended on the presence of all its organs at different levels. Therefore, all the central ministries had an office at the level of each satrapy to ensure that governmental services were effectively delivered to all people, even in the most remote villages. Each satrapy had a "Local Treasurer" to manage the satrapy's treasury, a "Local Lord of the Farmers" to oversee agriculture, a "Local Lord of the Merchants" for developing trade, a "Local Culture-Keeper" for administering schools, a "Local Lord of the Physicians" for public health, and a "Local Justice-Keeper" for implementing justice.
In the military sphere, Kourosh designed a dual structure to maintain security and control over the empire. The "Guardians of the Homeland" and the "Construction Corps" were managed at the satrapy level. The Guardians of the Homeland were responsible for maintaining internal order and security in the satrapy and operated directly under a commander appointed by the emperor. The Construction Corps, which was the arm of prosperity for the empire, was also active in each satrapy, helping to build roads, bridges, qanats, and schools. These forces deepened the bond between the army and the nation.
The other military forces of the empire were managed regionally to maintain central control over the main forces. The entire country was divided into five or six large "Military Hubs," each comprising several satrapies. Each military hub had a senior commander who was directly accountable to the "General Staff of the Armed Forces" in the capital. These commanders were responsible for coordinating military forces in their region, planning for major operations, and training specialized troops. This regional structure provided the ability for a rapid response to major threats and the effective movement of forces.
The central part of the empire, which included the capital and its surrounding satrapies, was under the direct control of the "Immortal Guard." The Immortal Guard, the emperor's elite and loyal force, was responsible for protecting the capital, the royal palaces, and the person of the emperor. They were stationed in this central hub and were ready to respond quickly to any threat, whether internal or external. This division ensured that while the satraps and local councils managed daily affairs, the ultimate control over the economic institutions, the main military forces, and the security of the empire remained in the hands of the emperor and the General Staff of the Armed Forces. This balance was the guarantor of the stability and endurance of Kourosh's thousand-year empire.