The Akkadian Empire, founded by Sargon of Akkad, was the first empire in history, uniting Sumerians and Akkadians from 2334 BCE to 2154 BCE. The empire centralized Mesopotamian culture and administration.
Akkadian mythology incorporated Sumerian deities like Anu and mythical beings such as Tiamat, the primordial dragon, and featured the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest great works of literature.