Here's a breakdown:
* Sumerians: An ancient civilization in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) who developed cuneiform writing, advanced mathematics, and legal codes.
* Akkadians: An Indo-European people who conquered Sumer around 2334 BCE. They adopted Sumerian culture, including their writing system and legal principles. This paved the way for a shared Mesopotamian cultural identity.
It's important to note that while the Akkadians adopted Sumerian cuneiform and laws, they also brought their own cultural elements to the mix, leading to a unique blend of cultures in ancient Mesopotamia.