Sargon II, whose name means “legitimate king",  reigned over a large part of the Near East between 721 and 705 BCE. His reign, which is well documented, coincides with a period of rapid political and economic expansion in Assyria. Warrior king par excellence, he pursued an expansionist policy, leading more than ten victorious military campaigns across the Near East. He was also a great builder, founding a new royal capital: Dur-Sharrukin.