Akkadian Empire

Worksheet Description

In this worksheets you will understand what was unique about the Akkadian Empire?

The Akkadian Empire, from 2300 BC to 2100 BC, was first Empire that ruled all of Mesopotamia. While the Sumerians had settled in southern Mesopotamia, the Akkadians lived in the north. Their culture and government was similar to that of the Sumerians, but they spoke a different language. While the Sumerians remained a civilization of warring city-states, the Akkadian city-states began to see the advantages of coming together under a single ruler, and their city states began to form alliances.

Sargon the Great became a powerful leader. His city was called Akkad. When the Sumerian city Uruk attacked Akkad, Sargon defended his city and conquered the invader. He then conquered all of the other Sumerian city-states, bringing northern and southern Mesopotamia together under his sole rule. The Akkadian Empire went on to conquer all of the surrounding civilizations, lasting for 200 years. At its peak, it was ruled by Naram-Sin, the grandson of Sargon the Great.