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The Akkadian Empire
The Akkadian Empire is often associated with the Semitic-speaking state that grew up around the city of Akkad in the north of Sumer. This empire was established by and reached its greatest extent under Sargon I, a great empire builder of Semitic origin. The Akkadian Empire lasted about 200 years, from 2350 BC to 2150 BC.
During the time of this empire, many roads were built to link the city-states. Sargon also organised the first collection of astronomical observations. Refer Image 1
More than 4000 years after the Akkadian Empire was destroyed, many of its political, cultural, and military innovations are still in use.
Sargon the Great
Sargon I, also known as Sargon the Great, reigned from 2334 BC to 2279 BC. Sargon established the first Semitic dynasty, the Akkadian Empire, and founded the Mesopotamian military tradition. A man of humble origins, Sargon turned out to be the first great military tactician and strategist. Sargon was also the first great empire builder, conquering all of southern Mesopotamia, parts of Syria, Anatolia, and Elam (western Iran) and uniting all of Mesopotamia. Refer Image 2
Sargon the Great is not known from documents written during his lifetime. The reason for this is that Agade, the capital city which he built and where he lived, has never been located and excavated. This city was completely destroyed at the end of his dynasty. Sargon is known entirely from the legends and tales through 2000 years of Mesopotamian history.
Sargon began his life as an orphan without a name. Later generations often referred to him as Sargon the Great. According to a folktale, his mother was a priestess who placed him in a basket and cast him adrift on the Euphrates River. Rescued by a gardener, Sargon was raised to become a palace gardener. Sargon then attained the post of personal cupbearer to King Ur-Zababa of Kish. From this prestigious position, Sargon had the opportunity to directly approach the king and display his genius.
The king assigned Sargon the task of defeating Zaggisi, the chief priest of the city of Umma. Zaggisi had proclaimed himself king of all Sumer. Sargon relocated his capital to Agade, 70 miles north of Kish, to distance his capital from the threat of Zaggisi. Sargon also designed a new army of mixed Akkadians who were trained in conventional Sumerian methods of warfare.
Before Sargon became emperor, Sumer consisted of many city-state governments. Lugalzagesi, king of Uruk (in central Sumer), marched through Sumer and conquered the city-states one by one, uniting all of Sumer under his authority.
Sargon achieved absolute sovereignty after managing to defeat Lugalzagesi of Uruk, who ruled the lands of the Sumerian city-states up to the Mediterranean Sea. Sargon deprived Lugalzagesi of his kingship and placed all of Sumer under his own command. Sargon established the first empire to cover all of Mesopotamia.
Sargon's victories can be attributed to his coordination of army movement, his ability to improvise tactics and his combined arms strategy. Sargon also displayed skill in siege warfare and in using the tactics of intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.
Sargon was the first great ruler who spoke Akkadian (a Semitic language) as his first language. During his reign, Akkadian became the official language of Mesopotamia. In addition, Sargon chose Akkadians, not Sumerians, as the governors of the main city-states of Sumer.
Sargon named himself Sharru-kin ('Rightful King') to justify his possession of the kingship. Sargon gained his kingship through his cause to 'do the right thing' not through hereditary succession.
To build up more business with the known world, Sargon tried to defeat cities along the middle Euphrates to northern Syria and the mountains of southern Anatolia. Sargon dominated Susa, the capital city of the Elamites, in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran. Not content with ruling the land of Sumer and Akkad, Sargon expanded his empire as far as Lebanon and the Taurus Mountains of Turkey.
During Sargon's reign, the commercial relationship between Sumer and other neighbouring countries flourished. Sargon established business connections with the Indus Valley, the coast of Oman, the islands and shores of the Persian Gulf, Lebanon, the Taurus Mountains, Cappadocia, Crete, and perhaps even Greece. Sargon's success can be attributed to two factors: his military expertise and the inheritance of the existing trade of the old Sumerian city-states.
Culturally, Sargon's reign was often associated with the birth of cuneiform. During Sargon's rule, the Akkadian language was adapted to Sumerian script.
These scripts, illustrated with many scenes, were often written on clay tablets or cylinder seals of this dynasty. Refer Image 3
Sargon continued to encounter many uprisings as city-states rose up against his authority. There was resentment against Sargon who had committed many sacrilegious acts in his attempt to control a vast empire.
Historical records show that the expansion of ancient Sumer had already started during Lugalzagesi's reign. Despite this, Mesopotamians still regarded Sargon as the greatest name who founded the military tradition which remained throughout their history. As a result, many legacies of Sargon's empire were preserved by his successors.
Rebellions continued until the reign of Sargon's son, Rimuc. These rebellions did not tear the empire apart until the reign of his grandson, Naram-Suen.
During Naram-Suen's reign, city-states gradually broke away from the empire. A tribe from the Zagros mountains soon conquered and destroyed the Akkadian Empire.
2334 BC marked the beginning of the dynasty of Agade. According to the Sumerian king list, and other records, Sargon was king for 56 years.
