How did sargon create mesopotamia’s first empire
The first great empire of Mesopotamia was founded by the king Sargon of Akkad. He was an influential figure who shaped the culture of Mesopotamia, setting the stage for later powerful empires.
He did so by establishing a system of governance that fostered order, unity and trade. He built roads and irrigation canals, extended trade routes and encouraged science and the arts. He created a postal system that ensured privacy and also allowed people to pay taxes without fear of detection.
His methods of government and religion became the foundation of future Mesopotamian civilizations. He also established the first standing army in human history and set up a bureaucracy that fostered trade.
During the time of Sargon, kings claimed to be descended from the gods. This tradition made them a divine figure that had the right to rule. The kings who ruled during this time were very wealthy, often owning 75% of the land in their respective cities.
This wealth was largely derived from temples and palaces that generated and directed much of the city’s wealth. Each temple and palace would have its own workers and slaves as well as indirect connections to the people in that particular city.
However, Sargon broke with this tradition and proclaimed himself to be “the man of the people” rather than the “man of the gods.” This was a crucial step in making him a viable leader in an age where city-states were dominated by rich minority groups.
He also incorporated symbolism into his reign, using a crown as a symbol of power and authority that was reminiscent of the throne of David. This symbolic approach emphasized his legitimacy as a ruler and encouraged a sense of loyalty among his people.
As a result, he was able to secure his empire and establish a dynasty that lasted for more than half a century. This dynasty would go on to establish the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, which continued to occupy Mesopotamia for hundreds of years after Sargon’s death.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Sargon’s reign is that he did not seem to believe war was necessary for his empire to flourish. He understood that he needed to build a stable infrastructure so that his subjects could live their lives in peace.
Moreover, he recognized that he needed to focus on building a professional army with an effective system of logistics so that the city-states under his control could survive and thrive. This strategy enabled him to overcome his initial challenges and famine, leaving an effective infrastructure that would make him the model for future leaders.
To this day, Sargon’s methods of government are still used by many leaders around the world. This includes the use of a postal system that allows for widespread communication and trade.
He also established the first standing army in human civilization and improved the standard of military practices throughout his empire. This allowed him to fight and conquer larger territories than previously, including Elam (Iran), Mari and Ashur, parts of Syria, Lebanon, Anatolia (Turkey) and perhaps Cyprus.
