亚述行省制度探析

On the Formation and Characteristics of Assyrian Provinces

行省是亚述的地方最高行政机构,在中央对地方的行政统属中发挥承上启下的作用。亚述人运用阿卡德王国开创的行省制度管理被征服地区,其行省体系随着版图的扩大而不断向外拓展,行省成为亚述人巩固军事征服成果的重要手段。行省是亚述的基本行政管理单位,城市、村庄和要塞等为其基层单位,以总督为首的官僚队伍包揽了行省的各项事务。行省不仅是征调赋役的基本单位,还负有维持社会秩序、组织生产和维护邮驿体系之责;但是,行省的军政事务由国王严密控制。总之,行省制度是亚述人控制被征服地区的得力工具。

Provinces were the highest local executives in Assyria,connecting the central government to regional administration. Following the model established by the Akkadian Empire,Assyrians used provinces to manage conquered lands. As an important method for maintaining military successes,the province system developed in accordance with the continual expansion of the empire. Composed of cities,towns and fortresses,and directed by the bureaucrats who were led by governors,provinces were not merely administrative units. They also levied taxes and statute labors,kept social order,organized productions,and maintained message systems while military affairs of the provinces were firmly controlled by the emperor. In a word,the provinces were efficacious for the Assyrians to manage conquered regions.