The first civilization is thought to have arisen in Mesopotamia. But sadly, it was also the first civilization to be conquered. The conquerors were the Akkadians, and the conqueror was Sargon. He ruled the Akkadian Empire between 2340 BC and 2284 BC.
Sargon is remembered, for he created the world’s first empire and standing army. He made Akkadian the official language. Sargon promoted trade, improved water management, and standardized weights and measures.
He was a self-made man of humble origins. The baby Sargon was found floating in a reed basket on the river Euphrates, and was later rescued by a gardener Akki. Akki adopted the boy, and raised him as his own son.
Sargon introduced the idea that a king should be succeeded by his son. The kings, who ruled Mesopotamia later, saw themselves as the heirs of Sargon’s Empire.