Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations made a huge impact on our society today. Most people living in the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations usually tend to settle near river valleys. They used river valleys across the ancient world as a mode of transportation and trade. They used the rivers as drinking water and to water crops. They even used the river valleys as a source for fishing and hunting. Although these civilizations had some similarities, the differences ultimately outweigh the similarities. For example, the two civilizations have very different political patterns. In Mesopotamia the leader is usually a priest/king and were in control of everything, including the army. Later on, commanders soon gained control of the armies …show more content…
Pharaohs were often perceived as gods themselves or were seen as representatives of gods. A few examples of the pharaoh’s duties were: “The pharaoh directed the army in case of a foreign threat or an internal conflict. All laws were enacted at the discretion of the pharaoh. Each farmer paid taxes in the form of grain, which were stored in the pharaoh's warehouses. This grain was used to feed the people in the event of a famine.” (ushistory.org). Egypt has a theocracy government, which meant that their government was based on religion. For example, priests and holy men were held to the highest degree and were well respected throughout the kingdom. Under the pharaoh there were viziers, army commanders, and chief treasurers, minister of public works, and tax collectors, all of which answer directly from the pharaoh. In total there were about 42 sections divided into Upper and Lower Egypt, each with their own government officials but, they were united in 3118 BC. An important ruler to Egypt would be Ramesses I. He created the first ever peace treaty with the Hittites and is commonly known for the colossal monuments of him all over Egypt. Speaking of colossal monuments, when the pharaohs died, they were encased in a pyramid decorated with jewels and riches. The body was mummified and laid the rest in a tomb, never to be opened again unlike the Mesopotamians where they just buried their …show more content…
At the top of the pyramid would be priests, kings, queens, overall royalty. Number two would be middle class, which would be fishermen, farmers, artisans, potters and scribes. The lowest class consists of slaves, people without land and children. Slaves were considered bounty from war and were made to work by the wealthy such as priests and wealthy merchants. The Mesos were the first to use bronze and created a number system based on sixty. They also invented cuneiform which was a form of wedged shaped writing and is believed to the international median in the middle east and became a universal form of writing. The Egyptians on the other hand used pictures, or known as hieroglyphics to write instead of letter. To translate the hieroglyphics, you have to use the Rosetta Stone. The Egyptians used geometry and developed the calendar. They also helped create medical techniques such as fixing bones, taking heart rates and surgery which we use now globally. As far as hierarchy goes, there are eight social classes in the Egyptian civilization, a five class difference from Mesopotamian culture. The first class consists of the Pharaoh and other royalty. Under him would be government officials like the priest and the vizier. Under them, would be the soldiers, and following would be the scribes who write and translate hieroglyphics. The fifth class would be the merchants, which is relativity middle class. Under
There are many similarities between the four civilizations Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, and Ancient China. One of the similarities is that all of these civilizations were located near rivers. These rivers were essential for surviving. The rivers would provide not only fresh water, but the rivers would flood and bring fresh soil for crops. Egypt used the Nile River. Mesopotamia used the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Indus Valley used the Indus River. Ancient China used the Yellow and the Yangzi Rivers. Another similarity is that all the civilizations believed in multiple gods. Religion played a big role in developing these civilizations. In these civilizations there was a hierarchy in which religious people were in charge. In Egypt, there
Egypt and Mesopotamia; two different civilizations that were similar in some ways, as well as different. They had their difference of their geographical location, as well as their different aspects of life. Even though they had their different life aspects, they had also had several similarities between each other.
The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt began to develop circa 3,000 B.C. Located near rivers, the lands offered fertile soil and an excess of crops that drew in many people. As more people arrived, the small settlements flourished into large, thriving civilizations. Many aspects of Mesopotamia and Egypt, such as their cities, their strongly organized government, and their religion, greatly contributed to the success of these two civilizations.
Before the beginning of history, people from across the land gradually developed numerous cultures, each unique in some ways while the same time having features in common. Mesopotamia and Egypt are important to the history of the world because of religious, social, political and economic development. Mesopotamia was the first civilization, which was around 3000 B.C., and all other countries evolved from it. Mesopotamia emerged from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The soil was rich and agriculture was plentiful. The Semitic nomads occupied the land around Akkad. The Sumerians established the city-states. Villages became urban centers. Because of the formation of the city-states everything flourished. However, Mesopotamian agriculture lacked stones; therefore mud brick became their major building block. Their diet consisted of fish from the rivers. The rivers were flooded frequently destroyed the cities. Mesopotamians made their living from crops and pottery.
With the rich soil, foods were plentiful around the farm lands, which gave both countries the chance to establish largely dense areas, like what we now know as a city-state. The Nile River also served as a defense for the Egyptians. They enjoyed centuries of tranquility and peace in which they used to develop their civilization. For the Mesopotamians, this wasn’t the case. Mesopotamian society consisted of classes and social differences.
What similarities and differences did Egypt and Mesopotamia have and why was Egypt more politically unified than its neighbor, Mesopotamia? I think in order to answer these questions it is important to look at how both societies lived. Egypt and Mesopotamia were two civilizations existing during the time period of 2000-1200 BCE.(text, 97) These civilizations were shaped by their environment, involved with trade, and faced changes in government after the 100 year drought; however, they differed in that Egypt was shaped by the Nile, traded goods for goods and changed their outlook on the pharaoh who was ruler of all; whereas, Mesopotamia was shaped by the Tigris and Euphrates, traded money for goods, and had a ruler over rulers. The governed harmonic life style of Egypt led this society to be more politically unified; whereas, Mesopotamia’s government led to many different ways of structure, thus creating a less unified society.
Both Egyptian and Olmec had remarkable advances. They even had some same creations which had same functions, but had a little differences in detail. For example, they both had accurate calendar. However, Egypt just had an 365 days calendar which bases on the movement of the moon and the bright of star Sirius, but Olmec used combined two- calendars system--one is 260-day sacred calendar, the other one is 365 solar calendar. Also they was amazingly advanced in mathematics. Egyptian were capable to calculate area and volume and use geometry to survey flooded land; they also use mathematics to help build monuments. Olmec had a written numerical system, the bar and dot system, and also used zero which was considered as an advanced concept. Not just had a lot of achievement on science, they also created massive artworks. Both of them made colossal statues, like the Great Sphinx in Egypt which had a body of a lion and a head of human, the huge heads in Olmec which were used to glorify the rulers. They also had strong painting skills which were showed in many places, especially on ceremonial
Egypt was one of the first River Valley Civilizations. In Egypt there were big advances in art, math and science and also pottery. We still use the same number system and they even had fractions back in that time. During the Old Kingdom times the pyramids were built. The pyramids were tombs for the pharaohs of Egypt. These pyramids are one of the most popular historical sites in the world.
The Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia grew up to be successful civilizations. The surroundings of where they are located assisted them in survival. Although their lifestyles were different, both civilizations became successful in their own ways. Finally, their similar belief was a very helpful guidance when their rulers governed. Without these factors, the two civilizations might not have been
The Egyptians of Northeast Africa and the Mayans of Southern Mesoamerica had many similarities and considerable differences with each other. They both had polytheistic religions or the belief in many gods and built amazing temples and pyramids to worship them. These civilizations also had a very organized social structure, with a strong system of trade, and an advanced writing system. The Egyptians and Mayans were almost identical to each other in their achievements, environment, and religion but also had significant differences as well. The Mayan and Egyptian environments were very diverse from each other, but their agriculture was a common similarity, as it was fairly easy for both civilizations.
As king, the pharaoh had many duties that were civic and religious. The people saw him as the living Horus and the son of Ra. They believed only pharaoh could sacrifice to the gods and only the pharaoh could appoint the priests to serve the gods in his place. The people believed that he became Osiris after death and would continue to help his people in the afterlife. Pharaoh was the commander-in-chief of the army and the highest judge in the land. The people saw the pharaoh as essential for keeping their lives in balance and keeping harmony in Egypt. His rule was absolute.
The Egyptian and Mesopotamian religion and society were similar, but their government/leadership was different. Religion in Egypt and Mesopotamia were very similar because both faiths were polytheistic and had priestly authority. Both cultures had powerful priests, both had a belief of an afterlife, and religion was part of their daily lives. Both societies had similar rigid social classes, relied on slavery; both also had a religion which played an important role in their daily lives. Although, their societies were very common, they still had some differences in government. The Egypt, the government was a theocracy, whereas the government in Mesopotamia was run by a monarchy. Despite their similarities, the differences between these two civilizations were most likely a result of unique geographical and topographical conditions.
A consistent characteristic among the first civilizations was social stratification. In most of the first civilizations, social hierarchies included kings, the elites, the working class, and slaves. Social stratification was evident in the Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies based off of the documents from the Babylonian Empire, The Law Code of Hammurabi, and the Egyptian student text, Be a Scribe. In the document The Law Code of Hammurabi, soldiers, farmers, salves, and other jobs are mentioned (96-97). In the document Be a Scribe, farmers, cobblers, soldiers, and various other jobs are mentioned (100-101). It is significant that these jobs are mentioned in both documents because it illustrates the similarities in these civilization’s social hierarchies. But, the similarities in their social structures do not end there. Special treatment based off of social standing was a consistent factor in both of these civilizations as well. This is clearly exemplified in Mesopotamia with the harshness of punishments for crimes being dependent on class (97). In Egypt, evidence of special treatment based off of social stratification is insinuated in the document Be a Scribe. This document delves into the negatives of having low class jobs and encourages people to become educated to grow in class rank (101). Despite these similarities, these two civilizations still held vastly different values and
Ancient Egypt was a single tightly organized state for much of its history (Centanni, n.d.). In all its phases, the Egyptian government was led by the pharaoh. The pharaoh was held to be descended from gods, with the power to assure success and control the rituals that assured the flow of the Nile and the fertility derived from irrigation. Wanting gods to favor Egypt, the entire population of people did not hesitate to carry out laws that the pharaoh placed upon them. Egypt’s pharaohs claimed additional power and authority as actual incarnations of the gods
The Mesopotamian geography affected their society because Mesopotamia was located on an open plain without protection from foreign intrusions. Egypt, on the other hand, was centered on the Nile River ad protected by natural boundaries. This allowed Egypt?s kingdom for prosper and last for thousands of years. Mesopotamia was not considered a nation or country, it was considered a region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers that established a number of highly organized city-states. Since each city-state was independent there was no capital of Mesopotamia.