Uploaded March 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Sargon, byname Sargon of Akkad, (flourished 23rd century BCE), ancient Mesopotamian ruler (reigned c. 2334–2279 BCE) who was one of the earliest of the world’s great empire builders.
History's First Emperor: Sargon Of AKKAD
He established the region’s first Semitic dynasty and was considered the founder of the Mesopotamian military tradition.
Sargon of Akkad (also known as Sargon the Great, Shar-Gani-Sharri, and Sarru-Kan, meaning "True King" or "Legitimate King") reigned in Mesopotamia from 2334 to 2279 BCE.
Nothing certain is known of Sargon's birth or younger years. In fact, although his name was among the most famous in antiquity, he was unknown to the modern world until 1870 CE.
When the archaeologist Sir Henry Rawlinson published the Legend of Sargon which he had found in the library of Ashurbanipal while excavating Nineveh in 1867 CE.
Thus, Sargon became king over all of southern Mesopotamia, the first great ruler for whom, rather than Sumerian, the Semitic tongue known as Akkadian was natural from birth, although some earlier kings with Semitic names are recorded in the Sumerian king list.
Sargon, byname Sargon of Akkad, (flourished 23rd century BCE), ancient Mesopotamian ruler (reigned c. 2334–2279 BCE) who was one of the earliest of the world’s great empire builders.
History's First Emperor: Sargon Of AKKAD
He established the region’s first Semitic dynasty and was considered the founder of the Mesopotamian military tradition.
Sargon of Akkad (also known as Sargon the Great, Shar-Gani-Sharri, and Sarru-Kan, meaning "True King" or "Legitimate King") reigned in Mesopotamia from 2334 to 2279 BCE.
Nothing certain is known of Sargon's birth or younger years. In fact, although his name was among the most famous in antiquity, he was unknown to the modern world until 1870 CE.
When the archaeologist Sir Henry Rawlinson published the Legend of Sargon which he had found in the library of Ashurbanipal while excavating Nineveh in 1867 CE.
Thus, Sargon became king over all of southern Mesopotamia, the first great ruler for whom, rather than Sumerian, the Semitic tongue known as Akkadian was natural from birth, although some earlier kings with Semitic names are recorded in the Sumerian king list.
