Sargon's Birth and Adoption

1 I am Sargon, the mighty king, king of Agade.
2 My mother was a high priestess; I did not know my father.
3 My father's brother lives in the mountain.
4 My city is Azupiranu, which lies on the bank of the Euphrates.
5 My mother, the high priestess, conceived me; she gave birth to me in secret.⁠a
6 She placed me in a basket of reeds; she sealed my opening with bitumen.
7 She cast me into the river, from which I could not climb out.
8 The river carried me to Akki, the irrigator.
9 Akki, the irrigator, lifted me out while lowering his bucket.
10 Akki, the irrigator, raised me as his own son.
11 Akki, the irrigator, appointed me as his gardener.

Ishtar's Favor and Sargon's Conquests

12 While I was a gardener, the goddess Ishtar loved me.
13 I ruled the kingdom for [...] years.
14 I ruled and governed the black-headed peoples.
15 I cut through mighty mountains with copper pickaxes.
16 I climbed the upper mountains.
17 I burst through the lower mountains.
18 I besieged the Country of the Sea three times.
19 Dilmun submitted to my rule.
20 I went up to the great Dur-ilu; I [...].
21 I cleared away stones.

A Challenge to Future Kings

22 Whatever king rises after me:
23 Let him reign for [...] years.
24 Let him rule and govern the black-headed peoples.
25 Let him cut through mighty mountains with copper pickaxes.
26 Let him climb the upper mountains.
27 Let him burst through the lower mountains.
28 Let him besiege the Country of the Sea three times.
29 Let Dilmun submit to him.
30 Let him go up to the great Dur-ilu, and let him ....
31 [...]
32 [...] from my city of Agade ...
33 [...] like arrows [...]