Sargon I of Akkad
Ruler of the Four Quarters of the World
2371 – 2318 B.C.E.
Victory Stele
Naram-Sin attacking
Possibly a bust of Sargon
A. Sargon’s Early Life
1. According to Sumerian literature Sargon, a Semite, was born of a priestess and never knew his father.
His mother abandoned him by placing in a basket and sent down the river.
2. By one account he was found by the king of the city of Kish and raised by this king to be his cup-bearer.
He later overthrew the king and took his place. By another, he was found and raised by a farmer.
Question….Why might there be two versions of this story?
B. Sargon Becomes Leader
1.
Sargon set out to conquer the Sumerian city-states and unite them under one rule his kingdom of
AKKAD Many aspects of the culture were adopted, only the language remained different.
2. Sargon used strategy to fight the well-disciplined armies of Sumer who marched in rows with
overlapping shields and used spears as weapons called the phalanx.
a. he used guerilla tactics (surprise attacks)
b. he used bows and arrows
c. he moved from North to South, being careful to conquer northern cities so he only had to fight
one front at a time.
3. Sargon used this strategy to expand his kingdom and set up his government so that he was always ready
to wage “brushfire” war s to keep city=states from revolting and overthrowing him.
C. Sargon’s Accomplishments
1. He reigned for 56 years
2. He united Sumerian city-states and Akkad for the first time creating the first empire
3. He established a dynasty that lasted for 200 years. The first to have hereditary sons take the thrown
instead of wealthy elected kings. (his grandson, Naran-Sin expanded the kingdom into the mountainous
area of Elam)
4. Sargon encouraged preservation of the Sumerian Culture. Art an Trade flourished.