Akkad (city)

Quick Facts: Who was Akkad (city)?

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Akkad (city)

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Ancient Mesopotamian capital, center of the powerful Akkadian Empire.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Akkad was the capital of the Akkadian Empire, which was the dominant political force in Mesopotamia during a period of about 150 years in the last third of the 3rd millennium BC. In the early days of research various unidentified mounds were considered as the location of Akkad. In modern times most of the attention has focused on an area roughly defined by 1) near Eshnunna, 2) near Sippar, 3) not far from Kish and Babylon, 4) near the Tigris River, and 5) not far from the Diyala River – all within roughly 30 kilometers (20 miles) of modern Baghdad in central Iraq. There are also location proposals as far afield as the Mosul area in northern Iraq.

Career & Major Achievements

The main goddess of Akkad was Ishtar-Annunitum or ‘Aštar-annunîtum (Warlike Ishtar), though it may have been a different aspect, Istar-Ulmašītum. Her husband Ilaba was also revered. Ishtar and Ilaba were later worshipped at Girsu and possibly Sippar in the Old Babylonian period. The city is possibly mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 10:10) where it is written אַכַּד (ʾAkkaḏ, classically transliterated Accad), in a list of the cities of Nimrod in Sumer (Shinar).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In the early days of Assyriology, it was suggested that the name of Agade is not of Akkadian language origin. Proposals include Sumerian language, Hurrian language or the Lullubian (though that is unattested). The non-Akkadian origin of the city's name would suggest that the site may have been occupied in pre-Sargonic times.

Notable Quotes by Akkad (city)

“Man-istusu, king of the world: when he conquered Ansan and Sirihum... moored (the ships) at the quay of Agade”

“Naram-Sin, the mighty, king of Agade, when the four quarters together revolted against him...”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Akkad (city)

True or False: “The primary goddess associated with Akkad was Ishtar-Annunitum.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Ishtar-Annunitum, or Warlike Ishtar, is identified as the main goddess of Akkad in the provided texts.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Akkad (city)