First Multinational Empire

Another of Mesopotamia's "firsts" is the Akkadian Empire, which was created by Sargon of Akkad and lasted from 2334 to c. 2083 BCE (the Great, r. 2334-2279 BCE). Sargon's dominion spanned from the Persian Gulf up through modern-day Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and most certainly the Levant, and down through Asia Minor to include the island of Cyprus, according to his inscriptions. Sargon maintained his empire by placing loyal people in positions of political power throughout the region, both men and women. Later Babylonian records referred to these individuals as "Citizens of Akkad," and they functioned as rulers, high priests or priestesses, or high-level administrators in over 65 distinct cities.

His daughter Enheduanna (l. 2285-2250 BCE), High Priestess of Inanna in Ur, was one of these trusted authorities. Despite Sargon's efforts to keep strict control without punishing the people, rebellions erupted. The empire remained together until the death of its greatest king, Sargon's grandson Naram-Sin (r. 2261-2224 BCE), but then began to fall apart under his son and successor Shar-Kali-Sharri (r. 2223-2198 BCE), before succumbing to the Gutians in c. 2083 BCE.