The Akkadian people were the first civilization to establish an empire in
Mesopotamia. Earlier inhabitants of the land formed groups of un-unified
city-states. Each state was owned by its own ruler. The Akkadian empire was
created by a great conqueror named Sargon who ruled from 2334 BC-2279 BC.
Sargon defeated over 50 city-states in Sumer and he eventually extended his
empire all the way to the Persian Gulf. He conquered the lands of Assyria,
Mari, Iarmuti and Elba and subsequently reaching the Taurus Mountains.
Because of his great empire and warrior skills, Sargon referred to himself
as the ôKing of Landsö and ôKing of the Four Quartersö. Under Sargon there
were Semites, or officers, in charge of each major city. Sargon appointed
his daughter Enheduanna as priestess of the city Ur (an indication that
women of Akkad had some political respect).

The Empire
When an empire is established, the large group of people under one power
spawns rebellion. Although there is no hard evidence civil war ever took
place under Sargon, a Babylonian legend says that ôAll the landö revolted
against him, but he was victorious.
When SargonÆs rule was over, his son, Rimush came to power in 2279BC and
ruled until 2270BC. Though his rule was short, he handled a number of
rebellions. He ended revoltions in the city-states of Ur, Umma, Adab, Der,
and Lagash but probably lost control of Syria. He was soon assassin by
having his head bashed in by a clay tablet. His murderer is unknown but
could have been a supporter of his brother who came to power at RimushÆs
death.

Manishtushu was either RimushÆs twin or older brother and ruled from 2270
until 2255. Under his power, the Akkadian structure of empire grew
continually weaker. Rebellion was common; a coalition of 32 kings brought
war against Akkad but Manishtushu managed to barely defeat the group. He
also invaded and claimed what is present day Oman. He died in a palace
revolt.

Naram-Sin was the son of Manishtushu and was the following ruler of the
Empire from 2255BC to 2218BC. During his time of power he pushed the Empire
to the Zargos Mountains and reclaimed Syria. He also had to hold back rebels
of the Oman territory. There were a number of other rebellions that caused
him difficulties. He kept lower officials as members of the royal family by
appointing his daughters and sons to these positions.

The Fall of the Empire
The last leader of Akkad was Shar-Kali-Sharri who ruled from 2217BC until
2193BC. Son of Naram-Sin, his rule was a weak one because the empire was
already entangled in a great decline. Though he tried to restore some of the
empireÆs power, he was unsuccessful and the Mesopotamian area was fought
over by the Syrians, Amorites, and Gutians. These invasions were brought on
by AkkadÆs growing weakness. The Gutians, a group from the region between
the Zargos and Taurus mountains managed to conquer the Fertile Crescent but
little more is known about the downfall of the empire in contrast to its
rise.