SARGON OF AKKAD

Born about 2335 B.C., Sargon was not of Sumerian ancestry but a son of Semities. He was one of the most extraordinary figures of his time, and he played his hand masterfully placing all Mesopotamia under his rule. The 'Akkadians' borrowed from the Sumerians not only their irrigation techniques, but also their cuneiform writing and their entire pantheon of gods. Everywhere Sargon went with his army, he transplanted the seeds of Sumerian Civilization. His daughter, high priestess of Ur, composed a tribute to the fierce goddess Ishtar that could have been addressed as well to her father: 'At your roar you make the countries bow low.' Later invaders hacked the sculptures eyes, ears, nose and beard in an apparent act of political mutilation.

While it is unknown exactly how Sargon came to power, he soon attacked Uruk, where reigned Lugal-zage-si of Umma. Lugal-zage-si, with fifty ensis under his command, was defeated, captured and brought to Kish "in a carcan" and exposed at Enlil’s gate. Sargon then attacked and crushed Ur, Lagash and Umma. He made a symbolic gesture, washing his hands in the "lower sea" (Persian Gulf), to show that he had conquered Sumer in its entirety.

The governors chosen by Sargon to administer the main city-states of Sumer were Akkadians, not Sumerians. Semitic Akkadian became the lingua franca, the official language of inscriptions in all Mesopotamia, and of great influence far beyond.

The former religious institutions of Sumer, already well-known and emulated by the Semites, were respected; his daughter Enheduanna, the author of several Akkadian hymns, was made priestess of Nanna the moon-god of Ur. He also called himself "anointed priest of Anu" and "great ensi of Enlil".

Customer Reviews: