Following the downfall of the Akkadian Empire at the hands of Gutians, another native Sumerian ruler, Gudea of Lagash, rises to local prominence and continues the practices of the Sargonid kings' claims to divinity.

Like the previous Lagash dynasty, Gudea and his descendants also promote artistic development and left a large number of archaeological artifacts.

After the fall of their empire, the Akkadians themselves essentially coalesce into two states; Babylon in the south and Assyria in the north of Mesopotamia.