Late in the 3rd millennium BC , Nippur was conquered and occupied by the Semitic rulers of Akkad , and their rulers , like Sargon , left gifts at this sanctuary . Late in the 3rd millennium BC , Nippur was conquered and occupied by the Semitic rulers of Akkad , or Agade , and numerous votive objects of Rimush , Sargon and Naram-Suen testify to the veneration in which they also held this sanctuary .