Akkadian Society

1. Akkadian Society

2. Introduction • 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.

3. Important Individuals • 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.

4. Important Individuals (cont.) • 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.

5. Social Institutions • 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

6. Government • 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.

7. Government cont. • The kings in Akkad were at first below the ensi in power. • However, later in history, the king became the prominent ruler.

8. Economics • 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.

9. Major Conflicts • 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.

10. Population • The population of pre-modern states was dependent upon the agricultural system of the region. • Two principals: irrigated farmlands or rain-fed agriculture

11. Cuneiform • This writing was developed and used in the middle east among: • Sumerians • Babylonians • Elamites • Hurrians • Kassites • Littites

12. Legal codes written in cuneiform scripts. • Semitic language- Hebrew and Arabic

13. Technology • 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

14. Rulers of the Akkadian Empire Sargon

15. Law • They followed the “Code of Hammurabi” • The Code of Hammurabi was carved into a black diorite stone.

16. Art • Akkadian artists discovered “lost wax”

17. Collapse of the Akkadian Empire • 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,

18. Individuals in History : Sargon of Akkad • 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

19. How Sargon Formed His Kingdom 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

20. Trade under Sargon’s Rule 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

21. Language, Art, and Military Under Sargon’s Rule • 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

22. Cooperation and Conflict 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

23. Akkadian Dynasty

24. Accomplishments • Dramatic advances • One major king • Sargon • First Poet • Enheduanna

25. Location 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

26. Social Classes • Ensis and Lugals • Provincial Ensis • Regular priests • Nobels (Lugal’s trusted workers) • Peasants (farmers, tradesmen, fishers) • Slaves

27. Akkadian Art Egyptian style art Has been found in Turkey

28. Technology First statue made of lead Spoke their own Akkadian language (Assyrian-Babylonian) Discovered “lost wax” (bronze casting)

29. Poetry • Sumerian art was excellent during the Akkadian empire • Enheduanna – first poet to actually record things • Wife of Nanna – Sumerian moon god • Daughter of Sargon

30. Achievements • Empire was bound together by roads • Included a postal service • Clay seals • Sargon and son’s names • Cadadstral survey • 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. Religion • Polytheistic religion • Worshipped gods and goddesses of or like those of the Sumerians • No seperation of religion and state, priests lead civilization

35. Scribal School • 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

36. Cultural Development • 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

37. Cultural Development Cont. • 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

38. Cultural Development Cont. • Art • Resembled early Egyptian art • Found in modern Turkey • Cylinder Seals – examples of gem cutter’s art • Poetry • Priestess Enhedumanna

39. Cultural Development Cont. • Achievements • Roads – postal service • Clay seals – stamps • Astronomy • Library • Limmu calendar system • Years were named after one specific event

40. Rise of Democratic Ideas Overpowered the Sumerian states King Sargon I of Akkad conquered military and political centers of the south Mesopotamia united into one empire

41. Rise of Democratic Ideas Akkad became the political, economic, and cultural center of the empire Emperors gave themselves the title “Kings of the Four Lands of the World”

42. Rise of Democratic Ideas • 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

43. Individuals and History • 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

44. Individuals and History • Sargon united the people into first empire….Akkadians • Successful conqueror • Successful battles – new tactics – looser form – javelins and arrows • Stationed troops

45. Individuals and History • 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

46. Technology and History “Lost wax” – method of bronze cast Postal service Clay seals Cuneiform Two languages (Assyrian and babylonian)

47. Economy 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

48. Economy Always had a surplus of food Imported metals, timber, and building materials because limited resources

49. Cooperation and Conflict 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

50. Impact of Ideas • 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