Sargon Gilgamesh-Pilagga Azulpolassar
Sargon Gilgamesh-Pilagga Azulpolassar is the titular Third Prince of The Hexarchy. Born Sargon-Pilagga Gilgamesh-nadinshumi Azulpolassar U-Arumenanesser, the prince had no technical surname to speak of, like most others in the country. In accordance to the Naming Conventions Act of 1694, he changed and shortened his name to reflect the new demand for surnames appearing in the country, due to pressures from foreign governments to identify the citizens of this otherwise exotic country. In contemporary language, his name translates roughly into: "Sargon, grandson of Agga, son of Gilgamesh, protected by Azul." He studied international relations at the Imperial University in Cardenas in Wechua, New Alexandria, where he earned a master's degree in that field. His primary duty as a "traveling ambassador" for the country is, essentially, to communicate with the public on topics relating to his country's incredibly diverse culture and enhance the country's reputation. Unlike his older brothers, he chose to adopt the legal surname "Azulpolassar" for himself, rather than wait for any children of his to pick something entirely different.
He is the third child of Praetor Gilgamesh II of The Hexarchy and his wife, Esharra of Azul'an. Currently 65 years old, he was born in 1670 AN in the then-national capital of Azul'an. He was only a small child when The Hexarchy finally achieved its independence as a unified nation-state in 1685 AN. He is also the first of his family born after the period of war that had preceded these efforts. As such, his arrival heralded the start of an era of stability in the region, and as such he has been able to develop an especially deep cultural appreciation for his homeland, even more so than his two older brothers. Rumors have it that he may step aside for a child of his own, when Praetor Gilgamesh II retires in about 10 to 15 AN years.
Early Life & Education
After graduating his elementary education through private tutors, he went through an alternative form of high school at the nascent University of Kobol, as the country's formal secondary education system was otherwise still in development at the time. As part of his studies with these same tutors, he was frequently brought with them on their trips abroad following the Hexarchy's recognition of independence by various world powers in 1685, ten years after the country had formed and somewhat stabilized its core territory. By the time these basic studies were completed, he was sent back home to complete his secondary education at the University of Kobol, one of the few such institutions in the rapidly modernizing country equipped for the task at this tumultuous period of time.
Like a few other higher education institutions in the country, the University had already been staffed with scholars from Adrestia and other parts of the world friendly to The Hexarchy's government at the time, and was thus adequately prepared to tutor children of regional rulers. The University had, by this time, set up an affiliate high school meant to train children of elites in modern governance. By the time Sargon graduated in 1688, his grandfather Praetor Gilgamesh I had already assumed the eponymous office. Seeing a future dominated by his own children, Sargon's father wasted no time in sending all of his children of appropriate age abroad for their education. Thus, he was sent to the University of Gondolin in Adrestia, where he would graduate with honors in 1693 AN with a dual degree in Global Business and in International Affairs.
After graduating from U Gondolin, Sargon traveled to New Alexandria, where he toured the country and eventually took up graduate studies at the Imperial University at Cardenas. While there, he is working on a master degree in International Relations, with a focus on building on the woefully sparse scholarship that regards The Hexarchy.
Early Political Career & Diplomatic Work
Having come from what was, until very recently, a backwards country fraught with danger from hostile fauna and savage peoples, the country still suffered a very poor reputation abroad. As such, Sargon was eventually tasked with embarking on public ambassador work, with the end goal to enlighten the world on his country's rich cultural heritage, but also bring lessons from his host countries back for his own people to use in their efforts to truly bring the Hexarchy and its most remote, wild peoples into the modern age.
While in New Alexandria, Prince Sargon maintained a modest pace to his studies, instead frequently touring the country and promoting his homelands' culture to those who would listen. While it was still far too early to tell, it became clear over the years that he had become a favorite to become the next Praetor due to his rapidly strengthening qualifications, charisma, and growing connections with political leaders abroad. He is also heavily involved in volunteer work within the country, and may often be seen working with one advocacy group or another. Due to his own background, he can empathize with economically and politically challenged peoples, as he spent his own childhood in an environment clouded by war. He continued this work even after his return to the Hexarchy in 1718 to take up government work.
He has also been involved in business regarding the Council of Six since 1718 AN, when he stepped in as Representative of Azul'an in the Six Nations Assembly, a representative body eventually set up for serving both party-level and individual representation. With the Praetor Gilgamesh II reaching old age, he is set to retire, allowing him to shape the future election processes in choosing the next Praetor. During 1722 AN, this was expected to happen in the near future due to the Praetor's desire to enjoy his old age as long as he could.