The Akkadian Empire or the Kingdom of Akkad/Agade was an ancient kingdom established around 2334 BCE, often considered to be the first known empire, succeeding the long-lived city-states of Sumer. Centered on the city of Akkad 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.