Notes

Sargon ruled his empire for 56 years. During that time, he made the city of Agade (uh-GAH-duh), in northern Mesopotamia, the empire’s capital. He built up the city with tributes collected from the people he conquered. Agade became a cultural center, with many beautiful temples and palaces. It was one of the richest and most powerful cities in the world.
The Akkadians may have ruled Sumer, but the Sumerian culture lived on. The Akkadians farmed using the Sumerians’ irrigation techniques. To record information, they used Sumer’s system of cuneiform writing. They even worshipped the same gods and goddesses, although they called them by different names. Religion stayed central to the social order, and kings continued to rule in the name of the gods.
The Akkadians had their own cultural achievements. Over time, their language replaced the Sumerian language. In art, they became especially well known for their skillful three-dimensional sculptures. Artisans also carved relief sculptures on stones. These carved stones are called steles. The Victory Stele is a famous example. It was created to celebrate a military victory by Sargon’s grandson, King Naram-Sin. The stele shows Naram-Sin leading his victorious army up a mountain slope. Some of his enemies are crushed underfoot. Others die, flee, or beg for mercy.
Sargon had hoped that his empire would last for a thousand years. But later kings found it difficult to rule such a large territory. The empire grew weak. After about 200 years, the Akkadian Empire fell to new invaders from the north.