Ancient region in Mesopotamia, the northwestern half of this region, until the rise of Babylonia in the 18th century. The other, southern half of Mesopotamia was Sumer. Many wars were fought between the two regions, but both sides also had to defend themselves against enemies in neighbouring countries.
The Akkadian homeland was the area where the Euphrates and Tigris were at their closest, a position corresponding approximately to today's Baghdad.
Akkad had its name from the city Agade, founded by Sargon around 2330 BCE. For about a century, Agade was the richest and most important city in the world.
The inhabitants of Akkad were Semitics, and they spoke Akkadian, which was to become one of the dominating languages of Mesopotamia.

History
Around 2330: Sargon 1 the Great conquers all of Sumer, and makes the north Mesopotamian city, Agade, his new capital. This became the beginning of the Akkadian dynasty. His kingdom came to be known as 'Sumer and Akkad'.
2279: Sargon dies, and is succeeded by his son.
Around 2220: Akkad is conquered and sacked by the Gutians from the Zagros Mountains. The Gutians took control over Sumer as well.

	Mesopotamia ------ Introduction -- Languages -- Sumerian Amoritic Akkadian -- Religions -- General Sumerian Babylonian / Assyrian Babylonian Assyrian Akkadian Amoritic ------ Kingdoms & Peoples ------ Sumer Akkad Babylonia Assyria Amorites Kassites Mitanni ------ Cities ------ Ashur Adab Akshak Babylon Calah Cuthah Eridu Eshnunna Harran Isin Kish Lagash Larsa Numrud Nippur Shuruppak Sippar Umma Ur Uruk ------ Rulers ------ Ashurbanipal Ashurnasirpal 1 Ashurnasirpal 2 Hammurabi Nebuchadnezzar 2 Sargon ------