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 years. His grandson Naram-Sin expanded the Akkadian empire and exercised the same dominion over man.

Sargon was great. Naram-Sin was great. Their legacy of empire continued throughout history. With each successive generation a new competition began to see who would exercise dominion over man. New empires would be formed on the backs of previous empires that had been crushed by the new challenger vying to be the next Great ruler.

As the centuries progressed the names changed but the goal remained the same. The exercise and use of power and violence to become the ruler who exerted the greatest dominion over man. Sargon was followed by Naram-Sin, who was followed by Hammurabi, Nebuchadnezzar, and Rameses. The names of those who exerted greatest dominion are well known. Cyrus, Xerxes, and Alexander had their turn. They were followed by the likes of Caesar, Augustus, and Constantine. William the conqueror, Abbas the Great, Akbar the Great, and Suleiman the Magnificent each exercised dominion over their kingdoms. Napoleon, King Leopold, Stalin and Mao continued the legacy into the twentieth century. Vladimir Putin continues the tradition today using his armies to conquer new territories to increase his dominion.

The story of Cain and Abel provides insight into the mindset that might exist in the rulers who would make dominion of men their primary occupation. Cain learned the secret to achieving great power. Hughes Nibley wrote about Cain: “The “great secret” of success that he learned from his new teacher was that he could get anything in this world by the calculated use of force.”

The calculated use of force is essential for empire building. It would be impossible to win 34 battles and become great without understanding how and when to use force.

Nibley further wrote about “an ingenious and simple self-financing operation in which one would buy power with wealth and then more wealth with the power, until one might end up owning and controlling everything. The initial capital? It was right under their feet! You begin by taking the treasures of the earth, and by exchanging them for the services of important people in key positions; you end up running everything your way.”

The history of empire is the history of power and wealth. It is a history of the calculated use of force. The names and faces of empire change but the underlying principles of empire building remain the same. The end result is also the same. The empire always collapses.

As long as rulers seek dominion over their subjects some Great man will come along and take what belongs to others by the use of force. Wealth and power will accumulate and history will remember the next Genghis Khan as a Great leader.

The human suffering inflicted will be downplayed. The military victories will be celebrated. The achievements in arts and sciences will be credited to the skillful administration of the conquerors. Without the need to govern an empire the Akkadians under Sargon would never have the incentive to create a post office, we are told by those who admire dominion and empire. Only through the skillful application of dominion over men will cultural advancements and artistic ingenuity flourish. Part of the great secret is believing that advancements are only possible if a strong man wields vast power.

If power and wealth are prized above all else then suffering and death must result. Power and wealth lead men to seek dominion over man. A world of dominion will see empires rise and fall. It will also glorify men and call them great for inflicting the most depraved acts possible. In the wake of great men is a pile of bones and ashes. Beware of the dominion of man.