The Akkadian Empire or the Kingdom of Akkad/Agade was an ancient kingdom established around 2334 BCE, and the first empire in world history, succeeding the long-lived city-states of Sumer. Centered on the city of Akkad (or ) and its surrounding region in modern-day Iraq, the empire united the Semitic Akkadian and Sumerian speakers under one rule and exercised significant influence across Mesopotamia, the Levant, modern-day Iran and Anatolia, sending military expeditions as far south as Dilmun and Magan in the Arabian Peninsula. Established by Sargon of Akkad after defeating the Sumerian king Lugal-zage-si, it replaced the system of independent Sumero-Akkadian city-states and unified a vast region, stretching from the Mediterranean to Iran and from Anatolia to the Persian Gulf, under a centralized government.