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SEPARATION OF POWERS

To improve efficiency and strengthen my influence over the conquered, I proceeded to divide the powers of the Persian Governors who now reported to me.

I separated the powers into three offices: civil, military and financial.

This would not only enhance operations but it would also ultimately make it hard for any one governor to yield too much power. I thus managed to kill two birds with one stone.

Upon leaving Babylon, I appointed the former governor of the city in charge of civil affairs while delegating military force to one of my Macedonian commanders.

Upon leaving Susa, I appointed a local Persian governor to run the city’s administrative affairs while another one of my Macedonian commanders would run the city’s military presence.

This was one of the first examples of separation of powers, now so commonplace in government and business.

It was not like the locals would complain, they were getting some local representation, knowing fully that military control would have to wrest with my men, under my ultimate command.

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