Sargon of Akkad: From Gardener to King of the Four Corners of the World

"Sargon (also known as Sargon the Great, Shar-Gani-Sharri, and Sarru-Kan, meaning "True King" or "Legitimate King") was, according to his autobiography, The Legend of Sargon of Akkad, born an illegitimate son of a "changeling," which could refer to a temple priestess of the goddess Innana/ Ishtar (whose clergy were androgynous) and never knew his father."

"The Akkadian Empire was the first political entity to make extensive and efficient use of bureaucracy and administration on a large scale and set the standard for future rulers and kingdoms."

"For at least 1,500 years after his death, Sargon the Great, founder of the Akkadian Empire, was regarded as a semi-sacred figure, the patron saint of all subsequent empires in the Mesopotamian realm."

Sargon of Akkad (2334-2279 BCE) established the first multinational empire in Mesopotamian history by uniting disparate kingdoms under centralized authority. Born illegitimately to a temple priestess, he was abandoned in a basket on the Euphrates River and adopted by a gardener named Akki. Rising from this humble beginning, Sargon conquered all of Mesopotamia and became celebrated as one of history's greatest kings. The Akkadian Empire pioneered extensive bureaucratic administration on a large scale, setting standards for future rulers. Sargon's legacy endured for at least 1,500 years after his death, during which he was regarded as a semi-sacred figure and patron saint of subsequent Mesopotamian empires. He is also remembered as the father of Enheduanna, the first known author in history.

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