ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA 2334 2154 BCE Akkad By Emily

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA: 2334 - 2154 BCE Akkad By: Emily E, Bethany H, Josh T & Sarah P

Akkad Akkad was the north western half of ancient Mesopotamia. The inhabitants of Akkad, had their own Akkadian language which eventually came to replace Sumerian over the centuries before and after 2000 BCE. In the 23 rd and 24 th centuries BCE, Akkad had emerged as the strongest of Mesopotamia Around 2330 BCE, the Akkadian Empire rose to the strongest in the region and probably also in the world at that time.

Akkad The heartland of Akkad was where the Euphrates and Tigris rivers are at their closest.

Akkad Writing and intellect. Bethany Henshall

Writing n By about 2500 BCE, the Akkadian started using cuneiform to write their own language. However, it was ascendancy of the Akkadian dynasty in 2300 BCE that positioned Akkadian over the Sumerian as the primary language of Mesopotamia.

Writing n Sumerian and Akkadian are vastly different languages. Akkadian was inflectional, meaning that it was basic form of a word, called a root. Notable features n Number of symbols: between 200 and 400 symbols were used to Akkadian, though in some texts many more appear. n Many of the symbols had multiple pronunciations n

Examples: n Here is some Of the words They use.

Sample text This is what it would have looked like

AKKADIAN MILITARY Sarah Pedro

WEAPONRY The Composite Bow The composite bow was one of the major inventions of the Akkadians. Its pull was 2 -3 times that of the simple bow and it was able to efficiently penetrate leather armor and some of the early bronze armors at up to 100 yards. Used throughout the next fifteen hundred years.

WEAPONRY The Spear was used for mid range. It was primarily a thrusting weapon and was used to deliver fatal puncture wounds.

WEAPONRY The Mace was used for fighting in short range. It was a piece of wood covered in metal studs which enabled extra power for bone breaking.

WEAPONRY Armor Copper helmets were used to protect soldiers from strong bows to the head. They also had armored cloaks that covered the body with metal disks lined with leather

Akkad had one of the most sophisticated armies of the Bronze Age Sargon The Great, who ruled for 56 years, was the Akkadian military leader and was considered founder of Mesopotamian military tradition that runs through Mesopotamian history. He conquered Sumer and built the Akkadian empire which stretched over most of the Sumerian city states. Sargon launched a campaign of military conquest to unite all of Mesopotamia He also conquered all of southern Mesopotamia as well as parts of Syria, Anatolia, and Elam (western Iran) He then became king over all of southern Mesopotamia

Akkad: Art and Architecture By: Emily Edwards

Akkad: Art • Sargon profoundly affected his people through art, politics and language which is why the most famous sculpture left behind was one believed to be Sargon himself The head of what is believed to be Sargon, is considered one of the great masterpieces of ancient art. Sargon of Akkad

Why Art? • The Akkadian’s used art as a form of indication • The rulers used it to stay in power, while the people used it to show gratitude • The Akkadian kings wanted art to remind the conquered people how important, impressive and powerful the kings were in hopes they wouldn’t revolt • When the enemies attacked they carried away and destroyed whatever art they could

Akkadian Art

AKKADIAN GOVERNMENT Joshua Toy

• Sargon the Great was the first ruler of Akkad • He conquered the Sumerians in 233 BCE • He unified Mesopotamia and spread his culture all through the fertile Crescent

Akkad was the first Nation to ever rule with dynasties before this the new king had to be elected by the rich in each city

� Though the kingdom of Akkad didn’t last long, only 3 generations the idea of passing the throne down father to son was used for thousands of years afterwards. � Because he created such a vast empire bound together by roads he spread the idea of dynasties as well as many other ideas throughout the whole fertile crescent