Economics
Wheat and barley were major crops in the Akkadian Empire, grown in large quantities no land that was fed by irrigation channels and protected by draining systems–all to guard against the unpredictable flooding of the two ancient rivers.

The Akkadians produced large amounts of foodstuffs and animal products (such as wool) but little else that they needed on a day-to-day basis. They were quite successful at exporting wheat and barley to neighboring civilizations, and they got from those neighbors other things that they needed, such as metal, stone, and timber.

History and Government
The earliest Akkadian settlements evolved into city-states, with a ruler known as an ensi. Their early development was punctuated by wars among the individual city-states. As the civilization expanded and came into contact (and conflict) with its neighbors, cities would name a lugal, a kind of monarchical figure who would get to live in a palace-equivalent building and act as the man in charge. As well, once the empire was established, the emperor devolved some of the ruling responsibilities to territorial governors.

Sargon first conquered Sumeria in 2340 B.C. He ruled for 35 more years, until his death in 2305. What followed was a series of clear successions: all but one of the subsequent rulers was the oldest son of the previous ruler. Sargon's oldest son, Rimush, succeeded his father; Rimush, in turn, was succeeded by his brother, Manishtushu. The most successful ruler was Sargon's grandson (and Manishtushu's oldest son) Naram-Sin. He was on the imperial throne for more than 50 years, ruling with an iron fist that put down revolts and pushed the empire's boundaries to its greatest extent. The large territory proved difficult to control as the years went by and the Sumerians learned some military skill of their own. Finally, in 2125, the Sumerians revolted as one, joining together to overthrow their conquerors. Shu-turul was the last Akkadian emperor. Leading the way in this reconquest was the city-state of Ur, which would become one of the world's leading centers of civilization. Invasions also came from the east, from a people known as the Guti. Akkad was conquered, replaced as the center of the empire. Even so, another neighbor would rise up and play the part of conqueror: the Amorites.

Religion, Arts, and Culture
People who lived in the Akkadian Empire worshiped several golds, who represented various natural occurrences such as the sky and the weather. An (or Anu) was the sky god, the chief god. Enlil (or Bea) was the god of the wind and storms. Sin (or Nanna) was the moon god. Utu was the sun god. Ishtar was the goddess of fertility and war. Enki (or Ea) was the creator of people.

Art works were basic and depicted the rulers or the gods (some of whom were thought to be gods).

The Akkadians created some of their own customs and adopted many Sumerian ones after the conquest. Both civilizations had their own language and, after the conquest, many people spoke both languages.

A series of roads connected the cities and city-states of the empire. Deliveries for the official postal service progressed along these roads.