The first major empire in Mesopotamia was the Akkadian Empire, which was founded by Sargon of Akkad in 2334 BCE. The Akkadians conquered most of Mesopotamia, and their empire lasted for over 150 years. The Akkadian Empire was succeeded by several smaller polities, such as the Third Dynasty of Ur and the Old Babylonian Empire.
The most powerful empire in Mesopotamian history was the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which ruled over much of the Near East from the 9th to the 7th century BCE. The Assyrians were known for their military prowess, and their armies were feared throughout the region. The Assyrian Empire was eventually overthrown by a coalition of Babylonians and Medes.
The last empire to rule over Mesopotamia was the Achaemenid Empire, which was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE. The Achaemenid Empire was one of the largest empires in history, and its territory included parts of three continents. The Achaemenid Empire was eventually conquered by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE.
The rise of empires in Mesopotamia was a complex process that was influenced by a number of factors, including the development of irrigation systems, the rise of a military and administrative class, and the need for centralized control over large areas of territory.