**Quick Facts** - The rule of man starts with the evolution of humanity, but in history, the first reported empire is the Akkadian empire (c. 2334–2279 BC). King Sargon of Akkad—who built the world's first empire in Mesopotamia more than 4,000 years ago, was the illegitimate child of a priestess. She abandoned him on a river, where he was discovered by the laborer who raised him.  - The first ruler of the Han Dynasty was Liu Bang (256–195 BC), also known as Emperor Gaozu. From a peasant upbringing, he rose to become a brilliant politician, strategist, and ultimately the ruler of China. - Born a peasant, Justin I is a self-made Roman royal who spent his youth in the Balkans as a shepherd. Justin was fortunate to be hired as a guard for Byzantine Emperor Leo after arriving in Constantinople. He was soon appointed a palace guard through sheer willpower and bravery. He succeeded the throne (518-527 AD) after the death of the childless emperor Anastasius. - Qutb-al-din Aibak was a young child when he was sold into slavery. He was eventually bought by Mu'izz ad-Din, Sultan of the Ghurid Empire, who appointed him in charge of the royal stables. As the Sultan favored him, he was given command over his Indian territories and conquered them. After the death of the Sultan, he founded the Slave dynasty in India (1206-1210 AD).  **Sultanate of Women** A 150-year period in the history of the Ottoman Empire during which women who were close to the ruling sultans executed extraordinary power. This phenomenon began during Suleyman the Magnificent region (1533-1656 AD), with his marriage to Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana). She was a peasant girl when the Tartars kidnapped her from her home village (Ukraine), and she was sold as a slave to the Ottoman Empire. Similarly, Kosem Sultan was a slave girl who was captured and brought into Sultan Ahmed I's harem and later rose to become the most powerful woman ruler in Ottoman history.