The Akkadians (or Acadians)

The Akkadians were a group of Semitic people who lived on the Arabian Peninsula between Egypt and Mesopotamia. As the population expanded the group moved north and began conflicts with the Sumerians. Eventually, lead by Sargon, the Akkadians conquered Sumer in 2340 BC and filled the land as far away as Lebanon. The city of Akkad was constructed to be capitol of the largest empire known up until that time. The city later changed its name to Babylon and became the center of cultural and commercial influence throughout the Middle East for almost two millennia. Despite the revolt by the city of Ur in 2125 BC which gave the land of southern Mesopotamia back to the Sumerians until about 2000 BC, the Semitic peoples (the descendants of Noah’s son Shem, or the Hebrews, Arabians, Assyrians and Babylonians) that surrounded the area took over the land for centuries.