Answer
By controlling trade routes and taxing merchants
Step-by-step explanation
Sargon of Akkad was the first ruler of the Semitic-speaking Akkadian Empire, known for his conquests of the Sumerian city-states. Sargon is credited with creating the world's first known empire. The Akkadians expanded their territory into locales along the Euphrates River and northern parts of the Middle East, including Syria and Turkey. In order to raise money to pay his army and also buy the loyalty of his supporters, Sargon controlled trade routes and taxed the Merchants.