The Akkadian Empire(2340-2200B.C.E.)It was located on the western bank of the

Euphrates, in present- day Iraq.We will now delve into its history, culture,

and advancements.

Sargon of Akkad (2270-2215 BCE) helped establish the Akkadian Empire.

He led the Akkadian Empire to its greatest extent.

Sargon conquered lands for his empire and his blood reign went on for generations.

Sargon’s blood reign went on for a few generations.

Sargon was by far the most famous and successful ruler, however.

Later rulers such as Manishtushu Rimish maintained Sargon’s rule.

Eventually however, the Akkadian Empire shrunk and collapsed due to Armani attacks.

Agriculture was the economic backbone of Akkad.

Like most ancient societies, Akkad utilized irrigation and rainfall for crops

Family was very important to Akkad Adultery was punishable by death for woman

Akkadian government was known as classical standard.

The ensi was the main leader.The ensi, a preist- like figure, had to marry

the goddess Inana, solidifying his position.

The kings in Akkad were at first below the ensi in power.

However, later in history, the king became the prominent ruler.

As we said, agriculture was vital in Akkad.Due to very little rainfall, irrigation was key

to successful farming.Akkad had a surplus of cattle and cropsHowever, it lacked other commodities like

metals and timber.

Sargon of Akkad led many major conquests to expand his empire.

He attacked and conquered Uruk.He also conquered King Kashtubila of

Kazalla.Sargon’s were all for not, however.Later leaders slowly lost the land until

Akkad’s eventual collapse.

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The population of pre-modern states was dependent upon the agricultural system of the region.

Two principals: irrigated farmlands or rain-fed agriculture

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This writing was developed and used in the middle east among:

SumeriansBabyloniansElamitesHurriansKassitesLittites

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Legal codes written in cuneiform scripts.

Semitic language- Hebrew and Arabic

•Clay seals took the place of stamps

example of Akkadian cuneiform

•empire was bound together by roads, along which there was a regular postal service

Ruler Length of reignSargon of Akakd

40 years

Rimush of Akkad

9 years

Man-Ishtishu 15 yearsNaram-Suen of Akkad

56 years

Shar-kalli- Shari

25 years

•Iriaia•Imi•Nanum •llulu

Unknown

Dudu of Akkad

21 years

Shu-Dural 15 years

Sargon

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They followed the “Code of Hammurabi”

The Code of Hammurabi was carved into a black diorite stone.

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Akkadian artists discovered “lost wax”

•Within 100 years the Empire of Akkad collapsed, almost as fast as it had developed, bringing in a Dark Age •The empire collapsed entire from the invasion of barbarians of the Zagros known as “Gutians”• said to be associated with rapidly increasing dryness, and failing rainfall in the region of the Ancient Near East,

King of ancient Mesopotamia during 2334 BCE to 2279 BCE

known for his extremely long reigning period

Formed the first Jewish dynasty in the region

Founder of Mesopotamian military traditions

Trade thrived under his rule

When the King of Uruk was defeated Sargon took his place to rule over the lands that he had collected

Sargon had to defeat every city that tried to break free from his rule

He succeeded which formed the kingdom of Akkad

Traded with the Indus Valley, islands in the Persian Gulf, and Oman

Imported things such as lapis lazuli (semi-precious stone), cedar wood, and silver

When Sargon was king military traditions such as spearman formations and shield walls were established

People began to use the language that the Sumerians had previously used

Started a new form of calligraphy which they put on clay tablets with beautiful scenes of mythology and festive life

Majority of conflicts were with Sumer

Especially empire migration to the north

2125 BCE: Ur revolted causing Akkad to fall as Sumer rose to power again

Barbarian invasion of the Zagros also known as “Gutians” caused empire to collapse

Dramatic advances

One major kingSargon

First PoetEnheduanna

Historians are not exactly sure where it is

They think it’s on the West bank of Euphrates

Between Sippar and Kish

In present day Iraq

Farmers

Ensis and Lugals

Provincial Ensis

Regular priests

Nobels (Lugal’s trusted workers)

Peasants (farmers, tradesmen, fishers)

Slaves

Social Classes

Egyptian style art

Has been found in Turkey

First statue made of lead

Spoke their own Akkadian language (Assyrian-Babylonian)

Discovered “lost wax” (bronze casting)

TechnologyTechnology

Sumerian art was excellent during the Akkadian empire

Enheduanna – first poet to actually record thingsWife of Nanna – Sumerian moon godDaughter of Sargon

Empire was bound together by roads Included a postal service

Clay seals Sargon and son’s names

Cadadstral surveyo Wrritten ownership of land

“Limmu” calendar system Year =big event

Empire was bound together by roads first collection of astronomical observations was made for a library established by Sargon

Set a standard for all Sumerian City-States

Ensi Highest priest Married to “Inanna”, goddess of love, fertility, and

war “Divine power” which was initially highest power

Lugal Literally “Great man” Equivalent to king Was initially 2nd in power to an “Ensi”, but became 1st

but later dynastic times

Government

Purpose = spread and maintain control of land

Made daughters (Enheduanna and Enmenanna) high priestesses of moon goddess

Married daughters off to other peripheral rulers

Made sons provincial “Ensis”, equivalent to Governors

Sargon and Naram-Sin Governing Strategy

Greatly dependent on agriculture

Changed from year to year depending on rainfall and crop yield

Harvest was late spring and summer

Had form of unemployment relief Government recruited farmers from August to

September to maintain Nile flooding and annual irrigation

Imports were metals, timber, and building stone

Economy

Polytheistic religion

Worshipped gods and goddesses of or like those of the Sumerians

No seperation of religion and state, priests lead civilization

Divided into 2 sections: Beginning and Advanced

Students began at young age (5-7)

Mostly male students, but there is evidence of some female students

Education generally only available to the wealthy and elite

Wrote in Cuneiform on clay tablets with a reed stylus

LocationArabian Peninsula

Present day = Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, and Kuwait

BuildingsLarge temples (ziggurats) and monuments

Tower of BabylonWalls – poorly constructed – made of clay Shaped like domes

Food Hunted fish, duck, and geese Ate dates, bread, onions, beans, cucumbers,

garlicWash it down with beer or water

Writing Cuneiform – shaped symbolsReed stylus Invented by Sumerians in 2500 BCE

Art Resembled early Egyptian art Found in modern Turkey Cylinder Seals – examples of gem cutter’s art

Poetry Priestess Enhedumanna

Achievements Roads – postal service Clay seals – stampsAstronomyLibrary Limmu calendar system

Years were named after one specific event

Overpowered the Sumerian statesKing Sargon I of Akkad conquered military

and political centers of the southMesopotamia united into one empire

Akkad became the political, economic, and cultural center of the empire

Emperors gave themselves the title “Kings of the Four Lands of the World”

GovernmentEnsi = highest functionary of Sumerian city-

states To become an ensi you have to marry the goddess

Inanna Validated the rulership through divine consent

Sargon means “kind of universal domination”Started monarchyEnded power struggles Wasn’t raised royal (cupbearer of Ur)

Came to power by overthrowing the king and then took the throne

Sargon united the people into first empire….Akkadians

Successful conqueror Successful battles – new tactics – looser form –

javelins and arrows Stationed troops

Sargon gained landFormed better relationships with neighboring

tribes Sargon gained better goods and ideas

Religion, gods, new use of writingHe was in control for 56 years but it ended

when the empire went in revolt

“Lost wax” – method of bronze cast Postal service Clay seals CuneiformTwo languages (Assyrian and babylonian)

Depended mainly on agriculture Nomadic groups (early Ammorites) Nomadic groups were allowed to let their

sheep graze on Akkadian’s farms, in exchange for payment to temples

Always had a surplus of food Imported metals, timber, and building

materials because limited resources

Akkadians were violent people in general Started empire based off of the relentless

conquering of Sargon Never at peace because people they

conquered never agreed with their rules

Sargon’s conquests spread Akkadian’s ideas, culture, and writing system

Empires can encourage trade and bring peace to people People of cultures share ideas, technology, and

customsAdopted Sumerian culture and ideas

Polytheistic - many gods: An, En – lil, E- ki

Priests were mediators between people and godsHad decreased status

Men and women were created by the gods to serve the gods To feed and clothe them, to honor and obey

them Didn't have a code of ethics or morality Scribal education

Akkadians were Semitic people and their descendents that survive today as Jews and Arabs

First ever epicGathered by the Akkadians and written on 12

stone tablets Tells the story of King Gilgamesh, who was

2/3 god and 1/3 human, and his adventures

Akkad is also known as Accad or Agade Left bank of the Euphrates river Height of its power between the 24 – 22

century BCE Gifted warriors of their time

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Pictures:<www.google.com>

"Akkadian Empire." South and Southwest Asia. Ed. Peter N. Peregrine and Melvin Ember. Vol. 8. New York, NY: Springer, 2003. 21-23.

"The Akkadian Empire." Wikipedia. 4 Nov. 2008. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 7 Nov. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/akkad>.

<http://i-cias.com/e.o/sargon.htm>.

"Akkadian School Texts." Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative. 7 Sept. 2008. UCLA. 16 Nov. 2008 <http://cdli.ucla.edu/wiki/doku.php/akkadian_school_texts>.

Guisepi, Robert A., and F. Roy Williams. "Akkad and the Akkadians." History-world. History World International. 7 Nov. 2008 <http://history-world.org/akkadians.htm>.

Hooker, Richard. "The Akkadians." Mesopotamia. 6 June 1999. Washington State University. 7 Nov. 2008 <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/meso/akkad.htm>.

Karr, Dr. Karen. "Akkadians." Histroy for Kids. 5 Oct. 2007. Portland State University. 7 Nov. 2008 <http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/westasia/history/akkadians.htm>.

•www.wikipedia.org•www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/akkadian.html•www.historyforkids.org/learn/westasia/history/akkadians.htm•www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Akkadian_Empire•history-world.org/sargon_the_great.htm•history-world.org/akkadians.htm