Warfare was an essential part of the Akkadian Empire, especially under its conquering founder Sargon, and his grandson the god-king Naram-Sin. Their armies were the source of their power.

But they were not the first kings of Mesopotamia to wage war on their enemies.

The city states of ancient Sumer clashed with one another for centuries before the rise of Akkad.

But what did this early warfare look like? How were the forces raised, and how were they armed and armoured? Who led them, when and how often did they fight?

This is the story of Mesopotamian warfare in ancient Sumer and Akkad.