Akkadian Society - World History 9H
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Transcript Akkadian Society - World History 9H
The Akkadian Empire(2340-2200B.C.E.)
It was located on the western bank of the Euphrates, in
present- day Iraq.
We will now delve into its history, culture, and
advancements.
Sargon of Akkad (2270-2215 BCE) helped establish the
Akkadian Empire.
He led the Akkadian Empire to its greatest extent.
Sargon conquered lands for his empire and his blood
reign went on for generations.
Sargon’s blood reign went on for a few generations.
Sargon was by far the most famous and successful
ruler, however.
Later rulers such as Manishtushu Rimish maintained
Sargon’s rule.
Eventually however, the Akkadian Empire shrunk and
collapsed due to Armani attacks.
Agriculture was the economic backbone of Akkad.
Like most ancient societies, Akkad utilized irrigation
and rainfall for crops
Family was very important to Akkad
Adultery was punishable by death for woman
Akkadian government was known as classical
standard.
The ensi was the main leader.
The ensi, a preist- like figure, had to marry the goddess
Inana, solidifying his position.
The kings in Akkad were at first below the ensi in
power.
However, later in history, the king became the
prominent ruler.
As we said, agriculture was vital in Akkad.
Due to very little rainfall, irrigation was key to
successful farming.
Akkad had a surplus of cattle and crops
However, it lacked other commodities like metals and
timber.
Sargon of Akkad led many major conquests to expand
his empire.
He attacked and conquered Uruk.
He also conquered King Kashtubila of Kazalla.
Sargon’s were all for not, however.
Later leaders slowly lost the land until Akkad’s
eventual collapse.
The population of pre-modern states was dependent
upon the agricultural system of the region.
Two principals: irrigated farmlands or rain-fed
agriculture
10
This writing was developed and used in the middle
east among:
Sumerians
Babylonians
Elamites
Hurrians
Kassites
Littites
11
Legal codes written in cuneiform scripts.
Semitic language- Hebrew and Arabic
12
•empire was bound together by
roads, along which there was a
regular postal service
•Clay seals took the place
of stamps
example of Akkadian cuneiform
Ruler
Length of reign
Sargon of Akakd 40 years
Rimush of
Akkad
Man-Ishtishu
Naram-Suen of
Akkad
Shar-kalli- Shari
•Iriaia
•Imi
•Nanum
•llulu
Dudu of Akkad
Shu-Dural
9 years
15 years
56 years
25 years
Unknown
21 years
15 years
Sargon
They followed the “Code of
Hammurabi”
The Code of Hammurabi was carved
into a black diorite stone.
15
Akkadian artists discovered “lost wax”
16
•Within 100 years the Empire of
Akkad collapsed, almost as fast as
it had developed, bringing in a
Dark Age
•The empire collapsed entire
from the invasion of barbarians
of the Zagros known as “Gutians”
• said
to be associated with
rapidly increasing dryness, and
failing rainfall in the region of
the Ancient Near East,
King of ancient Mesopotamia during 2334
BCE to 2279 BCE
known for his extremely long reigning period
Formed the first Jewish dynasty in the region
Founder of Mesopotamian military traditions
Trade thrived under his rule
When the King of Uruk was defeated Sargon took his
place to rule over the lands that he had collected
Sargon had to defeat every city that tried to break free
from his rule
He succeeded which formed the kingdom of Akkad
Traded with the Indus Valley, islands in the Persian
Gulf, and Oman
Imported things such as lapis lazuli (semi-precious
stone), cedar wood, and silver
When Sargon was king military traditions such as
spearman formations and shield walls were
established
People began to use the language that the Sumerians
had previously used
Started a new form of calligraphy which they put on
clay tablets with beautiful scenes of mythology and
festive life
Majority of conflicts were with Sumer
Especially empire migration to the north
2125 BCE: Ur revolted causing Akkad to fall as Sumer
rose to power again
Barbarian invasion of the Zagros also known as
“Gutians” caused empire to collapse
Dramatic advances
One major king
Sargon
First Poet
Enheduanna
Historians are not exactly sure where it is
They think it’s on the West bank of Euphrates
Between Sippar and Kish
In present day Iraq
Farmers
Social Classes
Ensis and Lugals
Provincial Ensis
Regular priests
Nobels (Lugal’s trusted workers)
Peasants (farmers, tradesmen, fishers)
Slaves
Egyptian style art
Has been found in Turkey
Technology
First statue made of lead
Spoke their own Akkadian language
(Assyrian-Babylonian)
Discovered “lost wax” (bronze casting)
Sumerian art was excellent during the Akkadian
empire
Enheduanna – first poet to actually record things
Wife of Nanna – Sumerian moon god
Daughter of Sargon
Empire was bound together by roads
Included a postal service
Clay seals
Sargon and son’s names
Cadadstral survey
o
Wrritten ownership of land
“Limmu” calendar system
Year =big event
Empire was bound together by roads first collection of
astronomical observations was made for a library
established by Sargon
Government
Set a standard for all Sumerian City-States
Ensi
Highest priest
Married to “Inanna”, goddess of love, fertility, and war
“Divine power” which was initially highest power
Lugal
Literally “Great man”
Equivalent to king
Was initially 2nd in power to an “Ensi”, but became 1st but later
dynastic times
Sargon and Naram-Sin Governing
Strategy
Purpose = spread and maintain control of land
Made daughters (Enheduanna and Enmenanna) high
priestesses of moon goddess
Married daughters off to other peripheral rulers
Made sons provincial “Ensis”, equivalent to Governors
Economy
Greatly dependent on agriculture
Changed from year to year depending on rainfall and
crop yield
Harvest was late spring and summer
Had form of unemployment relief
Government recruited farmers from August to September to
maintain Nile flooding and annual irrigation
Imports were metals, timber, and building stone
Polytheistic religion
Worshipped gods and goddesses of or like those of the
Sumerians
No seperation of religion and state, priests lead
civilization
Divided into 2 sections: Beginning and Advanced
Students began at young age (5-7)
Mostly male students, but there is evidence of some female
students
Education generally only available to the wealthy and elite
Wrote in Cuneiform on clay tablets with a reed stylus
Location
Arabian Peninsula
Present day = Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, and Kuwait
Buildings
Large temples (ziggurats) and monuments
Tower of Babylon
Walls – poorly constructed – made of clay
Shaped like domes
Food
Hunted fish, duck, and geese
Ate dates, bread, onions, beans, cucumbers, garlic
Wash it down with beer or water
Writing
Cuneiform – shaped symbols
Reed stylus
Invented by Sumerians in 2500 BCE
Art
Resembled early Egyptian art
Found in modern Turkey
Cylinder Seals – examples of gem cutter’s art
Poetry
Priestess Enhedumanna
Achievements
Roads – postal service
Clay seals – stamps
Astronomy
Library
Limmu calendar system
Years were named after one specific event
Overpowered the Sumerian states
King Sargon I of Akkad conquered military and
political centers of the south
Mesopotamia united into one empire
Akkad became the political, economic, and cultural
center of the empire
Emperors gave themselves the title “Kings of the Four
Lands of the World”
Government
Ensi = highest functionary of Sumerian city-states
To become an ensi you have to marry the goddess Inanna
Validated the rulership through divine consent
Sargon means “kind of universal domination”
Started monarchy
Ended power struggles
Wasn’t raised royal (cupbearer of Ur)
Came to power by overthrowing the king and then took the
throne
Sargon united the people into first
empire….Akkadians
Successful conqueror
Successful battles – new tactics – looser form – javelins
and arrows
Stationed troops
Sargon gained land
Formed better relationships with neighboring tribes
Sargon gained better goods and ideas
Religion, gods, new use of writing
He was in control for 56 years but it ended when the
empire went in revolt
“Lost wax” – method of bronze cast
Postal service
Clay seals
Cuneiform
Two languages (Assyrian and babylonian)
Depended mainly on agriculture
Nomadic groups (early Ammorites)
Nomadic groups were allowed to let their sheep graze
on Akkadian’s farms, in exchange for payment to
temples
Always had a surplus of food
Imported metals, timber, and building materials
because limited resources
Akkadians were violent people in general
Started empire based off of the relentless conquering
of Sargon
Never at peace because people they conquered never
agreed with their rules
Sargon’s conquests spread Akkadian’s ideas, culture,
and writing system
Empires can encourage trade and bring peace to
people
People of cultures share ideas, technology, and customs
Adopted Sumerian culture and ideas
Polytheistic - many gods: An, En – lil, E- ki
Priests were mediators between people and gods
Had decreased status
Men and women were created by the gods to serve the
gods
To feed and clothe them, to honor and obey them
Didn't have a code of ethics or morality
Scribal education
Akkadians were Semitic people and their descendents
that survive today as Jews and Arabs
First ever epic
Gathered by the Akkadians and written on 12 stone
tablets
Tells the story of King Gilgamesh, who was 2/3 god
and 1/3 human, and his adventures
Akkad is also known as Accad or Agade
Left bank of the Euphrates river
Height of its power between the 24 – 22 century BCE
Gifted warriors of their time
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Pictures:
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<http://cdli.ucla.edu/wiki/doku.php/akkadian_school
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<http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/meso/akkad.htm>.
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