The First Conqueror
Sargon the Great was known for building the world’s first and largest empire in recorded history at that point (Guisepi & F. Roy, n.d.). A bloodthirsty ruler with ruthless determination to expand his kingdom, he focused on taking control of nearby lands, thus being the first to set the stage for imperialism to create empires and dynasties in time. Under the Sumerian King List, Sargon was listed as being a ruler for fifty-six years.
The Rise of Sargon
Before he became known as Sargon of Akkad, he was the cupbearer to the King of Kish, Ur-Zababa (Gregory Jr., 2016). Manuscripts and a tablet in Nibur were pieced together to form the text ‘Sargon and Ur-Zababa’, which tells the tale of how he usurped the Kingdom of Kish from Ur-Zababa metaphorically. In the text, Sargon was given legitimacy over the succession as he dreamt of holy Inanna drowning Ur-Zababa in ‘a river of blood’. In a specific craving, it is speculated that Sargon killed Ur-Zababa with a mace ("Sumerian Shakespeare", 2013). It is also worth noting that Sargon’s name in Akkadian, ‘Sharru-kin’, stands for the ‘the king is legitimate’ (Gregory Jr., 2016).
He solidifies his reign and justification for expanding his empire through the Goddess Innana, as mentioned in the many autobiographies he wrote.
His latent ambitiousness was further demonstrated in an inscription written by Sargon himself. He believed he was supposed to rule and govern the Sumerians, who called themselves the ‘black-headed’ people who shaved their heads and faces.
Battle of Uruk
The battle against Uruk can be credited as Sargon’s first major battle victory. It showcased his rise to power in the region and the lengths he will go to conquer neighbouring lands to expand the Akkadian Empire. He captured Uruk’s king Lugalzagesi, and certain historians believe that he might have ‘violated Lugalzagesi wife after conquest’ (Freewalt, 2014). Many inscriptions about Sargon’s battles were not found in the Akkadian Empire, but rather found in Nippur or Sumerian cities he conquered. Although it is not easy to see his brutality by studying the translated inscriptions, the imagery cravings of Sargon’s victory steles showcase that these battles were in fact savagely violent. Prisoners of war were placed into neck stocks, and Sargon was also depicted holding a mace standing beside a net full of defeated Sumerians ("Sumerian Shakespeare", 2013).
Sargon’s overzealous conquest did not stop after the battle of Uruk, for it only marked the beginning of what he was capable of. He created a political unification of Mesopotamia, which also included control over parts of Syria, Iran and Anatolia (Gregory Jr., 2016). A merciless conqueror, Sargon did everything within his power to maintain his reign. Sargon placed his daughter, Enheduanna, as the high priestess of Inanna. She was appointed to keep the influence in order and might have been involved in the politics and religious affairs during his reign (Lewis, 1976).
Humble Origins
Perhaps due to his power-hungry nature, he wrote ‘The Legend of Sargon’ in hopes to appease the people of Akkad. According to the inscription, he came from humble origins, with no knowledge of who his biological father was. His birth mother placed him in a reed basket and down the river of Euphrates, which the biblical story of Moses directly parallels this narrative in later times.
References
Primary Source:
Frayne, D, Sargonic and gutian periods, c. 2234-2113 BCE,
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu
Sargon, “The Legend of Sargon of Akkadê”, c. 2300 BCE, Ancient History Sourcebook. Retrieved from http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/2300sargon1.asp
Westenholz, J. G, Legends of the kings of akkade : the texts, c. 2310-2273 BCE. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu
Black, J., Cunningham, G., Robson, E., & Zólyomi, G, The Literature of Ancient Sumer, c. 2350-2230 BCE, Oxford: Oxford University Press, UK.
Secondary Source:
Freewalt, J. (n.d.). Sargon the Great of Akkad: The First Empire Builder of Mesopotamia. Retrieved November 5, 2018, from http://www.academia.edu/9083418/
Sargon_the_Great_of_Akkad_The_First_Empire_Builder_of_Mesopotamia
Gregory Jr., J. P. (2016). Sargon of Akkad: The Father of Empire Building. The University of Central Oklahoma.
Guisepi, Robert, and F. Roy Williams. “The Akkadians.” Sargon the Great. http://history-world.org/sargon_the_great.htm
Lewis, B. (1976). The Legend Of Sargon: A Study Of The Akkadian Text And The Tale Of The Hero Who Was Exposed At Birth (Order No. 7716501). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (302795433). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/docview/302795433?accountid=14169
Sumerian Shakespeare [Digital image]. (2013, February 18). Retrieved November 5, 2018, from http://sumerianshakespeare.com/56801/237601.html
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