Cappadocia (satrapy)

Cappadocia was a satrapy (province) of the Achaemenid Empire, corresponding roughly to the region of Cappadocia in present-day Turkey. It existed for several centuries, from the 6th century BCE until the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE.

Under Achaemenid rule, Cappadocia was divided into two satrapies, or rather, two districts governed by tributary kings: Cappadocia Proper (also known as Great Cappadocia) and Cilicia Trachea, bordering on Cilicia. These kings, while largely autonomous, were subject to the overall authority of the Achaemenid Persian kings. They provided tribute and military support to the empire.

After the collapse of the Achaemenid Empire, Cappadocia became independent under its own line of kings. It continued to be a region of considerable importance throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Cappadocian kings generally maintained close ties with the Seleucid Empire initially, before eventually coming under Roman influence and later Roman control.

The precise boundaries of the satrapy may have fluctuated somewhat over time. It was bordered by Armenia to the east, Cilicia to the south, Galatia and other regions of Anatolia to the west, and Pontus to the north.

The Cappadocian satrapy played a role in the complex political landscape of the ancient Near East, serving as a buffer zone between various powerful empires and kingdoms. The region's strategic location and its wealth made it a prize sought after by many rulers throughout history.