In this episode of pplpod, we journey back to the 24th century BC to profile Sargon of Akkad, the man often identified as the first person in recorded history to rule an empire. We examine how a figure of uncertain origins founded the "Sargonic" dynasty and became the model for Mesopotamian kings for two millennia.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• The Legend of the Basket: We analyze the Neo-Assyrian "birth legend" in which Sargon is born to a high priestess in secret, sealed in a bitumen-coated basket, and cast into the river—a narrative archetype later seen in the story of Moses.

• The Rise to Power: We trace Sargon’s path from being a gardener and cup-bearer for King Ur-Zababa of Kish to usurping the throne and defeating rivals like Lugal-zage-si, whom he famo ...