Sargon The Great Essay

Assyrian art is usually recognizable in its proliferation on carved stone that adorn imperial monuments. On this particular fragment, it’s clear that human figures are unique stylistically detailed, usually in triumphal scenes of conquests and battles. This artifact depicts the stone head of an Assyrian man, and there are still visible traces of the pigments that typically covered all Assyrian reliefs. It is clearly a very delicate artifact with slightly visible traces of faded red (on the man’s head). The texture of the man’s features embedded in the stone is also quite evident, especially the spherical bumps that enhance his hair. The traditional physical characteristics of the Assyrian man is evidenced in the shape of the long beard, and

the unique tracings of the eyes and ears, nose and mouth. The fact that the Assyrian head is facing his left and can be seen looking slightly down, could imply that the man is in a position of power most likely as an Assyrian sovereign—probably Sargon of Akkad himself. It could also hint at what the rest of the stone painting might portray, perhaps the Assyrian sovereign is standing firm, leading the ranks with his men, or perhaps he’s even on top of a chariot, heroically charging into battle.
Given the great likelihood that the figure on this fragment is Sargon the Great, he is relevant to the history of the emergence of Akkad in the Late Third Millennium.

As the founder of the Akkadian Empire, Sargon’s story is found in the Legend of Sargon, which is composed of two cuneiform clay tablets that illuminate his character as a legendary individual born to an anonymous father, and a mother who set him adrift in a basket down the Euphrates River (parallel to the story of Moses in the Hebrew Bible). Eventually he grew up and conquered cities, starting with Kish. He rose to wield power throughout all of Mesopotamia and established the first universally cultured empire in history. His great courage was even showcased when he defeated Lugalzegesi, the first Sumerian king to successfully subjugate city-states throughout Sumer and the final Sumerian king preceding the formation of Akkad. Taking the throne-name Sharru-ki, “the king is legitimate”, Sargon founded the Akkadian empire whose foundation was attained through military sieges carried out by a tenacious, organized army at Sargon’s disposal. Maintaining Akkad was another challenge in itself, and Sargon managed to establish a period of stability wherein his empire thrived—he created an efficient postal system involving clay tablets written in cuneiform Akkadian style. In addition, he promoted expansion of trade and development of road networks. He even endowed his daughter Enheduanna to be High Priestess of Inanna at

Ur so she could impose substantial influence over religious, economical and cultural aspects of Ur.

Though the development of Akkad was considered his crowning achievement, it wasn’t an idyllic empire. Despite positive aspects of his rule, groups of Mesopotamian citizens dissented against his empire. However, this was largely overcome by Sargon’s proven courage and innovative leadership. Sargon’s reign lasted 56 years, before his authority was passed down to his sons; and later, the more prominent figure Naram-Sin (his grandson) surpassed his grandfather by further expanding the empire beyond what Sargon accomplished. Ultimately, Sargon’s legacy lives on in the various visual depictions in Mesopotamian art (in which he is sometimes portrayed as a god) and through embellished stories etched on stone. He is remembered as one of the most influential conquerors in Mesopotamian history.