Was the first empire really started by an abandoned orphan who rose to greatness?

Was there an empire older and more important than mighty Egypt? There were a few, but the Akkadian Empire, born out of the cradle of civilization, is thought to be the first. And it was a game-changer. Its creation inspired conquerors and other empire-builders throughout history and spawned two world powers. Its epics, legends, and beliefs influence religions and cultures even today—and make for some darn good listening.

Known mostly through clay tablets and stelae, the truth about the Akkadian Empire has intrigued and at times eluded scholars and historians. Victory reliefs made grandiose claims, and propaganda was rampant. Legendary poems countered cautionary tales about arrogance and oppression. We will discuss the men who ruled the empire and the legends that define what we know about them.

Some of the treasures you’ll discover about the Akkadian Empire includes:

Why the Sumerians were an important part of the empire The grand wealth and cruelty that accompanied Queen Puabi to her grave How the first empire-builder the world has ever known rose up from mysterious and legendary origins What made Sargon so great? How an empire made up of city-states wanting independence was constantly on the verge of breaking apart The epic adventures of Gilgamesh—how he slew a forest monster and the tragic consequences for earning the wrath of the gods How did Naram-sin achieve god-like status?

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