Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which ruler’s inscriptions provide examples of Old Akkadian cuneiform?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
cuneiform
An account of barley distribution, probably from Uruk, Mesopotamia, c. 3100–2900 bce; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
The earliest type of Semitic cuneiform, known as Old Akkadian cuneiform, is exemplified in the inscriptions of the ruler Sargon of Akkad, who reigned during the 23rd century BCE.1
While contemporary records from Sargon's own lifetime are limited due to the loss of his capital city, Agade, his historical legacy and the development of the writing system are documented through later copies of royal inscriptions. These inscriptions, along with those of other early Akkadian rulers such as Rimush, Manishtusu, Naram-Sin, and Shar-kali-sharri, provide essential insights into the period.234