Part 2/11:
Around 2334 BCE, the Akkadians conquered the Sumerians and unified the various city-states in Mesopotamia, ushering in the world's first empire. This marked a seismic shift in governance, as a multi-cultural and multilingual conglomerate of city-states came together under a single banner. The empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, encompassing a rich tapestry of trade and culture that flourished under Akkadian rule. This formidable nation flourished, cultivating vast trade routes, creating a thriving economy, and fostering an era saturated with wealth and artistry.