THE AKKADIAN EMPIRE

(REPORTING GROUP-2)

INTRODUCTION: Goodmorning to all of you! (Each one will introduce

theirselves) and we will be the second group that will perform today
and in this report, we will delve in the fascinating world of the
Akkadians, a significant civilization that emerged in ancient
Mesopotamia. Our investigation will explore into the historical, cultural,
and societal aspects of the Akkadian Empire, shedding light on their
contributions, challenges, and lasting impact. Come along with us as we
take a historical journey to discover the intricate details of the Akkadian
civilization.

The Akkadians were an ancient people who thrived in Mesopotamia.

Now before we dive deep about the akkadians, I will first show you
what is Mesopotamia. *Video Plays*

Again as you heard and saw, Historically, Mesopotamia was a part of

West Asia that was located in the northern Fertile Crescent, along the
Tigris and Euphrates river system. Iraq is the modern name for
Mesopotamia. More broadly, historical Mesopotamia encompassed
portions of modern-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.
Now lets go back to the main topic of the report.

From watching the video, we already knew where the akkadians

already located, wich is Iraq. The Akkadian Period, is also known as the
Akkadian Empire, and was named after the city of Akkad, which was the
capital of the empire. It dates roughly to 2334–2154 BCE, and it marks
a pivotal period in the history of ancient Mesopotamia.
Akkadian is also mostly known as one of the first ancient empire of
Mesopotamia. Succeeding the long lived civilization of Sumer.

As we know, Sumer was a land of independent city states, then around

2300 BCE the Akkadians conquered the land wich emerge from
enduring Sumerian civilization.

Yes the Akkad is sometimes regarded as the first empire in history,

though the meaning of this term is not precise, and there are earlier
Sumerian claimants.

The akkadian Empire were led and was founded by the Great King
named Sargon, he was the one who establish the worlds first empire.
Sargon was not the name given to him at birth but the throne name he
chose for himself meaning, as noted, “Legitimate King” .

Sargon established his empire through bold military tactics, gathering a

large army and instructing soldiers to engage in close-quarters combat.
Shield-bearing soldiers positioned in front, while spear-bearing soldiers
stood behind. The bearers extended their weapons between the
shields, expanding his empire's influence through military conques.

To keep control of his empire, Sargon used very clever political

strategies. Sargon lived to be a very great age. His name soon passed
into legend. He and the Akkadians had
created the world's first empire. This was their greatest achievement.

After Sargons death, the empire passed to his son Rimush, who was
forced to endure what his father had and put down the rebellions
which contested his legitimacy. Rimush reigned for nine years,
 when he died, the kingship passed to Sargon's other son, Manishtusu
who ruled for the next fifteen years and was known as the third king of
Akkadian Empire,

after his death, his soon passed it to his son wich is Naram-sin, The first
known Mesopotamian king to assert his divinity and take on the titles
"God of Akkad" and "King of the Four Quarters" and he became the
patron city god of Akkade.

But sadly, all of this had its ending after Naram-sin had passed its
throne to Shar-Kali-Sharri wich had the struggle to rule the akkadian
empire he was Possibly the final Akkadian king to rule over a territory
other than Akkad itself. Within 180 years of its establishment, in 2154
BCE, the Akkadian Empire fell. A period of regional decline known as
the Dark Ages began with the collapse and continued until the Third
Dynasty of Ur emerged in 2112 BCE. The empire had greatly weakened
by the time Shar-kali-sharri, the son of Naram-Sin, reigned from 2217 to
2193 BCE.

Now let us talk about all of the Akkadians Contribution.

Political Conributions: Sargon's military conquests and administrative

innovations united the city-states of Sumer under a centralized rule.
This imperial structure served as a precursor to subsequent empires,
influencing the administrative frameworks of later civilizations. The
Akkadians laid the groundwork for political organization and
governance that would shape the course of history for millennia.

Linguistic and Literary Contributions: The Akkadian language, a Semitic

language, became the dominant language in the region, significantly
influencing linguistics for centuries. The Akkadians adopted cuneiform
writing, one of the earliest writing systems, which revolutionized
communication, record-keeping, and literature. This script, marked
with wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets, influenced ancient writing
systems.

Legal Innovations: The Akkadians significantly contributed to the

development of legal systems, refining and expanding the Code of Ur-
Nammu, which laid the foundation for the Sumerians' Code. Their early
legal frameworks, including Hammurabi's Code, provided laws and
punishments, shaping the evolution of legal thought and governance
across different cultures.

Economic Contributions: Under Akkadian rule, trade and commerce

flourished, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas across vast
territories. The establishment of trade routes contributed to economic
prosperity and cultural exchange, while Akkadian influence fostered the
diffusion of technologies, knowledge, and cultural practices.

Architectural Achievements: The Akkadians demonstrated their

engineering skills through monumental architectural structures like
Ziggurats and palaces, showcasing their innovative urban planning and
construction approach. The city of Akkad showcased their
organizational skills with advanced infrastructure and a well-organized
layout.

Cultural and Technological Exchange: The Akkadians significantly

influenced cultural and technological exchange, acting as a melting pot
of ideas, traditions, and innovations, which enriched art, technology,
and societal practices, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent
civilizations.
The Akkadians really significantly shaped the ancient world through
their influence on language, governance, trade, architecture, and
culture, leaving a lasting legacy in the annals of history.

All of this also explained what are the impact of the Akkadian Empire
around the world.

Well, Because of how much Naramsin increased Akkad's power, Naram-

Sin is regarded as the greatest Akkadian king. The Akkadian Empire
used one of the oldest languages still in use, developed the first postal
service, and traded with people all over the world. They also made
significant advancements in agriculture through better irrigation.

OUTRO: in conclusion, our exploration of the Akkadians has unveiled a

remarkable chapter in the tapestry of ancient history. Through a lens
focused on their achievements, challenges, and enduring legacy, we
have gained insights into a civilization that played a pivotal role in
shaping the course of Mesopotamian history. As we reflect on the
Akkadians, let us appreciate the significance of their contributions and
the enduring echoes of their presence in the annals of time.

Thank you for listening and I hope you all learned a lot from this.