This is the second part of the Study Guide on the Akkadians in which we will see who their main rulers were, where they expanded and what the economy of this society. Get ready to continue discovering more about this kingdom that reached great splendor more than 4,000 years ago.
The Akkadian Empire
The Akkadian Empire is a great kingdom of Mesopotamia that was formed as a result of the conquests of Sargon of Akkad and that existed between the years 2334 to 2192 BC During this time it had 5 kings of the same dynasty, who ruled a total of 141 years . The Akkadian empire grew to a large size, stretching all along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, from Syria to Lebanon, reaching the shores of the Mediterranean as well. This great extension makes it one of the first great empires in history.
rulers
The most prominent ruler was Sargon I, the initiator of the dynasty of the Akkadians who ruled between approximately 2334 BC and 2279 BC Another important king Akkadian was one of his successors, Naram Sim, which they estimate ruled between 2254 a. C. and 2218 a. C. To tell the truth, as we have already said, it is a kingdom that had a splendor of a century and a half and was directed by 5 different rulers at this time.
It should be noted that the Akkadian kingdom is considered one of the first to bring together peoples of different cultures and traditions, which is why it is often considered as one of the first empires in history. Likewise, its first king, Argon I, is considered one of the longest-lived and most effective rulers in history. King Sargon even appears in the Sumerian Royal List, in which he is recounted from his birth to his appointment as king by the gods.
In the political organization of the Akkadians, the king is the highest figure and his power is almost omnipotent. Nothing in the kingdom escapes his control or his command. His closest aides include members of the military and administration personnel of his government.
Territorial Expansion
As we have said the akkadians They built an empire through conquest of very large areas. Among them we can mention the areas of: Upper Mesopotamia, Lower Mesopotamia (Sumerian city-states), Elam. Subsequently Naram Sim annexed areas of the east coast of the Mediterranean (currently Lebanon) and entered Anatolian (current Turkey).
Economic activities
In ancient Mesopotamia the basic economic activity was farming, given the excellent natural conditions of the region and the use of the rivers through irrigation works.
In the case of Empire Akkadianits extension to various areas of Mesopotamia allowed him to obtain raw materials that were not in Akkad. The populations dominated contributed to the empire through a tributewhich could be in products as diverse as wood, dried fish, cereals, metals, salt and a wide variety of handicrafts.
Culture
The civilization of the Akkadians, as we say, one of the most important in Mesopotamia, used writing cuneiform adapted to your own language. Evidence has been found that the Akkadians also used the Sumerian script, but also that from the laws of Sargon the Akkadian script began to be promulgated, especially among the citizens to whom Sargon offered administrative positions.
It should be noted that, with regard to wattle architecture, there are no architectural remains that allow us to know exactly what the architecture was like in that period. Yes, there are remains of works or palaces restored by the Acacians, but the remains of the cities of Akkad or Sipar are found buried in unknown places.
Reason for decline
In the early years of the 22nd century BC, some of the peoples subjugated by the akkadians They began to rebel against Empire. This crisis was aggravated by the invasion of the gutswho definitively defeated the Akkadian Empire.
Below we leave you with a video about the Akkadians and with a series of links of interest in case you want to complement the INFO of the article.
Video about the Akkadians
The Akkadians are one of the most important peoples and civilizations of the ancient world in Mesopotamia, and in the following documentary you can learn more about them:
Links of interest
In Overhistory we have many other articles about history or ancient civilizations that might interest you:
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