Sargon of Akkad
The cup-bearer who became king, uniting Mesopotamia under the first true empire.
Sargon of Akkad (died c. 2279 BC), also known as Sargon the Great, was the first ruler of the Akkadian Empire and founder of the 'Sargonic' or 'Old Akkadian' dynasty. He conquered the Sumerian city-states in the 24th to 23rd centuries BC, ruling from his capital, Akkad. His empire is thought to have included most of Mesopotamia and parts of the Levant, Hurrian, and Elamite territory. According to the Sumerian King List, he was the son of a gardener and former cup-bearer to King Ur-Zababa of Kish before usurping Lugal-zage-si of Uruk. His reign is dated to c. 2334–2279 BC in the middle chronology, with king lists recording durations of either 40 or 54–56 years.
- Role
- Founder of the Akkadian Empire
- Affiliation
- Akkad
- Status
- Deceased (Historical figure; Campaign protagonist)
- Region
- Mesopotamia
Lore & Background
Sargon styled himself 'king of Akkad' and 'king of the land.' He defeated Uruk and captured Lugalzagesi, leading him in a collar to the gate of Enlil. He conquered Ur, E-Ninmar, Lagash, Umma, Mari, Yarmuti, and Ibla, reaching the Cedar Forest and Silver Mountains. His inscriptions claim he was 'conqueror of Elam' and that ships from Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun anchored in Akkad. He maintained a court or standing army of 5,400 men who ate bread daily before him.
In Their Own Story
Sargon served as cup-bearer to King Ur-Zababa of Kish before seizing the throne from Lugal-zage-si of Uruk. He took his capital to Akkad and marched against Sumerian cities like Uruk, Ur, and Lagash, washing his weapons in the sea after victories. Submitting to Dagan at Tuttul, he claimed lands up to the Mediterranean. Later literature describes him asking subordinates for advice before campaigns and recounting a 'darkening of the Sun' during an expedition to Simurrum.
Reader's Guide
Sargon began as a gardener's son and cup-bearer, then became king by defeating Lugal-zage-si. He unified Mesopotamia through conquests recorded in his inscriptions, including campaigns against Elam, Mari, and the Levant. His reign lasted between 40 and 56 years according to various lists. Dated documents confirm four specific year-names describing his destruction of Uru'a/Arawa, Elam, Simurrum, and Mari.
Did You Know?
- The Sumerian King List records his reign as lasting either 40 or 54–56 years.
- He maintained a standing army of 5,400 men who ate bread daily before him.
- Ships from Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun are said to have anchored in his capital of Akkad.
- He was identified as the son of a gardener and former cup-bearer to King Ur-Zababa of Kish.
More in Heroes & Leaders
Related in Age of Empires
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