Akkadian empire

Akkad

By Pszkodon
  • Period: 2334 BCE to 2154 BCE

    Akkadian Empire

    Akkad was the first true empire. It was founded by Sargon the Great, who unified Mesopotamian city-states and became a monocratic ruler. It was a martial empire, and the art was generally martial. The art of this time began to depict historical events. Style-wise, it became more realistic and naturalistic than the art that proceeded it. Akkadian art uses bas-relief as well as metallurgy that built upon techniques used by the earlier Sumerian civilization.
  • Akkadian, Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, c. 2254-2218 BCE, pink sandstone, 6'7" height, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France
    2254 BCE

    Akkadian, Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, c. 2254-2218 BCE, pink sandstone, 6'7" height, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

    This relief sculpture depicts Naram-Sin, great-great grandson of Sargon, leading his army up a mountain to victory. This stele commemorates the victory over the Lullubi people. The composition of the stele is chaotic and free: the lefthand side, containing the army, appears more organized, while the righthand side, containing the Lullubi people, includes nature to appear wilder and more staggered. Every figure is looking up at Naram-Sin, who himself is looking up at the God-representing stars.
  • Akkadian, Head of Akkadian Ruler, c. 2250-2200 BCE, bronze, 36.6 cm in height, Iraq Museum, Baghdad, Iraq
    2250 BCE

    Akkadian, Head of Akkadian Ruler, c. 2250-2200 BCE, bronze, 36.6 cm in height, Iraq Museum, Baghdad, Iraq

    Scholars believe this sculpture is of Sargon, a man that rose to power from a low-level family to found the royal city of Akkad. The sculpture is life-sized and made of bronze. It has sharp geometric clarity and depicts curls, a man bun, and a wrinkled brow. Although it now appears damaged, the Head of Sargon echoes the Akkadian art themes of power and divine kingship.