“…History started when, war, food, and writing coalesced to allow a potentate, usually a male one like Sargon but sometimes a female like Enheduanna, to harness power and promote his or her children in order to keep it.”
Simon Sebag Montefiore
The first empire in recorded history belongs to Sargon of Akkad. According to Will Durant he called himself “King of Universal Dominion.” Simon Sebag Montefiore notes that Sargon was referred to as the “King of the four quarters of the world.”
Montefiore also notes that the dominion of Sargon “like every empire, it all depended on power and violence.” Durant writes “Historians call him “the Great,” for he invaded many cities, captured much booty, and killed many men.” Montefiore notes that he “triumphed in thirty four battles.” By 2300 BC Sargon of Akkad was busy conquering the world and ruling his empire.
Joshua Mark wrote that Sargon “conquered for no city, only for himself and, once he had control of the area, then built his own city to enjoy the benefits of conquest.” He ruled his empire for 56 years. He then passed on control to his son.
Sargon was skilled in the exercise of power. He could not be defeated and his ambition has been copied by rulers over the next 4,000 ...
