Framed Relief of Sargon of Akkad

Hand sculpted ceramic relief featuring the Mesopotamian King Sargon of Akkad, first ruler of the Akkadian Empire.

The relief has been mounted on starched linen in a wooden frame painted to match the patina of the relief itself.

Signed by the artist: Nila Londenen (sp)

There are a couple of stains on the linen, item has been priced to reflect this and is sold as is.

SARGON OF AKKAD

Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great, was an ancient Mesopotamian ruler who founded the Akkadian Empire, one of the earliest known empires in history. He lived during the 24th and 23rd centuries BCE and is remembered as one of the most influential figures of the ancient Near East.

Sargon's early life is shrouded in legend and myth, but according to ancient texts, he was born as a commoner and later rose to power through a series of military conquests and political alliances. He eventually became the ruler of the city-state of Akkad, located in central Mesopotamia, and went on to conquer and unify several neighboring city-states to form the Akkadian Empire.

Sargon's reign is characterized by his ambitious military campaigns, which extended the borders of the Akkadian Empire to encompass large parts of Mesopotamia, including the Sumerian city-states of Ur, Uruk, and Lagash. He established a centralized government, with Akkad serving as the empire's capital, and implemented administrative reforms to govern his vast territories efficiently.

One of Sargon's most enduring legacies is his role in promoting cultural and economic exchange throughout the ancient Near East. Under his rule, the Akkadian Empire became a melting pot of diverse cultures and languages, fostering trade and commerce between different regions and laying the groundwork for future empires and civilizations.

Sargon's military prowess and political acumen earned him a place in Mesopotamian mythology and literature, where he was celebrated as a heroic and divine figure. He was often compared to the gods and depicted in royal inscriptions and monuments as a powerful ruler, leading his armies to victory and receiving divine blessings from the gods.

Despite his achievements, Sargon's empire eventually fell into decline after his death, succumbing to internal unrest and external pressures from neighboring peoples. The collapse of the Akkadian Empire marked the end of Sargon's dynasty, but his legacy lived on through the cultural, political, and linguistic influences of the Akkadian civilization.

Today, Sargon of Akkad is remembered as one of the most important figures in ancient Mesopotamian history, revered for his military conquests, political leadership, and cultural achievements. His reign marked a pivotal moment in the development of civilization in the ancient Near East, laying the foundations for future empires and shaping the course of history for centuries to come.