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 Research Climate and Geographic Factors -Archeological evidence shows that the Akkadian Empire's collapse could have been related to a shift to more arid conditions. -Mesopotamia was divided into two geographical regions: the north with its mountains and foothills, and the southern plain. -The Empire started out in the of Kish then streched out after two battles and conquered cities of U.R, Lagash, and Summerian capital Umma. -The Akkadian Empire included the south (Simer), the west ( Amurru Canaan), the east (Elam) and the north (Hurrians). -The Empire was located in what is today modern Iraq which today is hot and dry but back in akkadian times the weather was very wet, that was good for the Akkadians because the rain helped with the agriculture.



Events and Leaders -Sargon started the Akkadian Empire around the 23rd century BC. -Sargon of Akkad started the first Empire in human history. -First Sargon became leader of Kish. -He laid seige to the sumerian city of Urusk ruled by Lugal-zage-si and succeeded in defeating them. -Fought two battles to win control over the city of Lagash, and the summerian capital Umma, therefore starting the Akkadian Empire with the three cities. -As years went on the Empire streched from central Mesopotamia to the Arabian gulf with Akkad being the capital. -Years later Sargon assembeled an army of 5000 men considered very large back in those times to conquer north western Mesopotamia and the western part of the fertile crescent. -Continued to expand to the taurus mountains in Anatolie and the cedar forest in modern Lebenon. -The Akkadian Empire lost the western part of Elom. -Sargon then led an expedition of taking northern Mesopotamia from the hands of the Hurrians and succeeded, leading to all of Mesopotamia being under Akkadian control.



Socio-Political Structure -The Akkadian Empire worked as a standard government. -Sargon at the top (king). -His family for example his daughters and nephews. -The army/workers. -The rest of the population. -At some points the akkadian government was recognized as a monarchy government. -The males were more powerful then the women.

Art, Literature and Music -The most enduring architectural monument was the temple. -The Akkadians used maze-like streets to keep invaders away. -Mesopotamia was a really poor city so art was usually small since materials such as stone and metals had to be imported. -Jewelery and statues were the most common art peices. -For the higher class of people tombs were decorated with things such as a gold cup and bowl, and jewelery. -Akkadians had a very limited budget when it came to art, so the only people who could afford to be artists had to be working for the highest class people such as the king Sargon. -The sculpture of Sargon is a very well known monument but it was only made after Sargon passed.



Transportation and Weaponry -Weapons (Keke in akkadian) meaning teeth because weapons were sharp like teeth. -Helmets were made of copper and had leather inside. -The chariot was the first "vehicle" that the Akkadians used. -Soldiers wore armored clokes basically a protection suit (body armor). -The Sumerians introduced the bronze socket axe which later the akkadians took as their own innovation. -The axe was strong enough to cut through the armored clokes. -This weapon remained for two thousand years. -Another major innovation was the composite bow. -This bow could travel twice the distance as a simple bow and could damage body armor. -The armies of Sumer and Akkad were the most innovative out of most of the armies in history, that made them stronger both in military effectiveness and weaponry.

Agriculture and Economy -Agriculture systems consisted of irrigated farmlands of southern Iraq and rain-fed agriculture of northern Iraq. -Southern Iraq in Akkadian times would get to about 20mm of rainfall per year so agriculture depended on irrigation. -Akkadians had a high degree of agriculture productivity giving Akkad it's military advantage. -Water levels were stable from 3,000-2,600 BC but then started to decrease. -Harvest times were during spring and hot summer. -Importing wheat was there solution to the econimies recovery from such a fall in wheat productivity.

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