Logo
Home
Library
DIY TV
Profile
Profile Icon
Back

Facts for Kids

Akkad was the capital of the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia, dominating politics and culture for about 150 years during the last part of the 3rd millennium BC.

Overview

History Of Akkad

Economy And Trade

Decline And Legacy

Military Strategies

Political Structure

Art And Architecture

Cultural Contributions

Geography And Location

Religion And Mythology

main image

Inside this Article

Akkadian Empire

Learn more >

Civilization

Learn more >

Creativity

Learn more >

Government

Learn more >

Gilgamesh

Learn more >

Euphrates

Learn more >

Community

Learn more >

Livestock

Learn more >

Akkadian

Learn more >

Culture

Learn more >

Did you know?

🏛️ Akkad was an ancient city in Mesopotamia, located in modern-day Iraq.

👑 Sargon of Akkad was one of the first kings to create an empire around 2334 BC.

⏳ The Akkadian Empire lasted for about 150 years, from 2334 to 2193 BC.

🌊 Akkad was situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in the Fertile Crescent.

⚒️ The Akkadians developed cuneiform, one of the earliest systems of writing.

🐑 Akkadian farmers grew barley and wheat, and raised livestock like sheep and goats.

🎨 The Akkadians were known for their beautiful art, sculptures, and pottery.

🌌 Religion was important to the Akkadians, and they worshipped many gods.

⚔️ The Akkadian Empire had a strong military that expanded its territory.

🌪️ The empire declined around 2193 BC due to invasions and climate changes.

Introduction

Akkad was an ancient city in Mesopotamia, which is now mostly in modern-day Iraq 🇮🇶. It was the capital of the Akkadian Empire and thrived about 4,000 years ago! The Akkadian Empire was powerful and lasted for about 150 years, from 2334 to 2193 BC ⏳. Kings like Sargon of Akkad became famous for uniting many city-states. This era was key to early civilization, influencing many cultures that came after. People spoke the Akkadian language, and the empire was known for its advancements in writing, art, and trade. Isn't it cool to think about how people lived back then? 🏛

️
Read Less

History Of Akkad

Akkad was founded by Sargon, a famous king! Sargon ruled from around 2334 BC and is known for being one of the first to create an empire 🌍. He started by conquering neighboring cities, like Lagash and Umma. Sargon's empire changed the way people lived, as he offered protection and stability. After Sargon, several kings continued to rule, but around 2193 BC, the Akkadian Empire started to decline. This decline was caused by many factors, including invasions and climate changes 🌧️. Still, the changes brought by Akkad shaped future civilizations in Mesopotamia for many years!
Read Less

Economy And Trade

Akkad had a buzzing economy! People farmed barley, wheat, and raised livestock like sheep and goats 🌾🐑. They traded these goods for other resources like copper and stones used for making tools and jewelry. Akkadians were also known for their pottery and textiles, which they traded with neighboring regions. Trade routes connected Akkad to Egypt, India, and even farther places 🌍. This trading made the economy strong. People used small silver pieces as money, making it easier to trade. It was a busy time filled with exchanging goods and ideas!
Read Less

Decline And Legacy

The Akkadian Empire started to decline around 2193 BC due to several reasons 🌪️. Invasions by neighboring peoples, along with environmental changes like droughts, weakened the empire. As a result, cities fell into chaos, and invasion became more common. Eventually, the Akkadians lost control, but their influence lived on! Their writing, culture, and political ideas influenced later civilizations, such as the Babylonians and Assyrians 🏙️. Today, we can still see traces of their achievements in museums and ancient texts. Understanding Akkad helps us learn about the roots of human civilization!
Read Less

Military Strategies

The Akkadian Empire had a strong army that helped them expand and keep control over their lands ⚔️. Sargon was a clever leader who used both speed and cleverness to defeat opponents. They trained soldiers and created tactics to work together in battles. Chariots, drawn by horses, gave them an advantage in warfare 🐎. They also built fortifications around cities to protect them from invasions. The military strength of the Akkadians allowed them to spread their culture and influence far beyond their capital. The strategies developed during this time shaped military practices for centuries to come!
Read Less

Political Structure

The Akkadian Empire was run by a strong leader called a king 👑. Sargon was one of the most famous kings, and he ruled with the help of governors to manage different areas. These governors acted like mini-kings in their regions, making sure everything was going smoothly. The empire also had law codes, like the one created by Hammurabi later on, which helped keep order in society 📜. The king's power was believed to be granted by the gods, making them very important! This structured government set the stage for future empires in Mesopotamia.
Read Less

Art And Architecture

Akkadian art was unique and beautiful! Artists created stunning statues, reliefs, and pottery that depicted gods, animals, and daily life 🎭. One famous sculpture is the "Victory Stele of Naramsin," showing a king's triumph over enemies. The Akkadians also built ziggurats, which were pyramid-like temples that reached the sky ⛲. These ziggurats were made of mud bricks and served as centers for worship. The attention to detail in both art and architecture showed their skill and creativity. Many of their designs and techniques influenced later artists and builders!
Read Less

Cultural Contributions

The Akkadians contributed a lot to culture, especially in writing! They developed cuneiform, one of the earliest systems of writing, which used wedge-shaped symbols ⚒️. People wrote on clay tablets to keep records, tell stories, and even write laws! The Akkadian language became very popular and influenced many other languages over time. They also made beautiful art, including sculptures and pottery 🎨. Festivals were celebrated to honor the gods, and they created epic stories like the "Epic of Gilgamesh," which is still read today. These cultural achievements had a lasting impact on the world!
Read Less

Geography And Location

Akkad was located in the heart of Mesopotamia, between two famous rivers called the Tigris and Euphrates 🌊. This region is known as the "Fertile Crescent" because it had rich soil great for farming. Akkad's exact location is a bit of a mystery, but historians think it might have been near modern cities like Baghdad or Samarra 🌆. The area was important because it connected various trade routes and supplied resources like water and crops. Living close to rivers made it easier for Akkadian farmers to grow food and for traders to travel and exchange goods!
Read Less

Religion And Mythology

Religion played a big role in Akkadian life ⛪. Akkadians worshipped many gods, like Marduk and Ishtar. Each god was believed to take care of different aspects of life, such as crops and war. Temples were built to honor these gods, where people made offerings and held ceremonies. Myths and stories about the gods were told, like how Marduk defeated the chaos monster Tiamat to create the world 🌌. These stories helped people understand nature and their place in the universe. Religion brought the community together, and everyone had their favorite gods to pray to!
Read Less

Akkad Quiz

Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DIY back?!

How do I reactivate my account?

How do I sign up?

Are the android and iOS apps coming back?

What is DIY?

What is a “Challenge” on DIY?

What is a “Course” on DIY?

What are “Skills” on DIY?

What if I'm new to all this—where do I begin?

Do I need special materials or equipment?

Is DIY safe for kids?

Can I collaborate with other DIYers on a project?

How do Mentors, Mods, and Jr. Mods help us?

What is DIY?

What's the recommended age for DIY?

Our Mission

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Challenges

Photograph a Landscape

Draw a Food Monster

Make Fluffy Slime

Build a Catapult

The 30 Day Project

Introduce Yourself in Another Language

See more

Skills

Illustration

Painting

Cooking

Gaming

Rocketry

Photography

Mechanical Engineering

See more

Activities

Activities for Kids

Indoor Activities for Kids

Outdoor Activities for Kids

Summer Activities for Kids

AI Homework Helper

Would you rather?

Company

About

Blog

Pricing

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Community Guidelines

FAQ

Download on AppStoreDownload on Google Play

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.