King Sargon Of Akkad As The Second-Coming Dumuzi
Sargon the Great of Akkad (fl. c. 2370-2314) is one of the greatest heroes of ancient Mesopotamian history, the one who founded the Akkadian Empire (c. 2370-2190), the very first world empire. The Akkadian myths and legends reflect the folkloric motifs that had over time been associated with these mighty god-kings, among which their view of Sargon as the Dumuzi who had returned. They provide an insider’s view of the popular traditions that arose from the speculative thinking of that time. What is also of particular importance is the cultic practice of the sacred marriage. Sargon’s birth is linked to that cultic ritual, which explains why he was regarded in such strange and exceptional terms.
Story of the birth of Sargon (early second millennium BC) Louvre Museum. (0x010C / CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sargon’s Birth Legend
The first great ruler of the Akkadian Empire and founder of the Akkadian imperial dynasty was Sargon the Great. His name was written as Sarru kenu, meaning “true, rightful king”. A life-size bronze portrait head, believed to be a representation of him, was found at Nineveh. It shows him as a typical Semite with a bearded face which stands in stark contrast with the clean-shaven faces of the Sumerian rulers.
The narrative of the legend of Sargon’s birth is of vital importance. Although the available texts, on literary grounds, are dated later than c. 2039 BC, there is good reason to believe the story had already been known in Akkadian times. For example, the compiler of the Sumerian King List must have had knowledge of this story as he recorded some details of it in a note, namely the part telling that Sargon was raised by a “date grower”.
