Early Civilizations Introduction Early civilizations have strikingly similar political and social structures. Also, one cannot help notice the similarity in their geographical locations as well as their religious beliefs. However, there are key differences between various early civilizations in terms of religion and their socio-political setups. Below is a description of some of the similarities and differences between the early Indus (Indian) civilization and the early Egyptian civilization based on their key geographical features and religious beliefs. Early Indian (Indus) Civilization versus Early Egyptian Civilization Key Geographical Features The Indus civilization was situated in present day India while the Early Egyptian civilization …show more content…
was located in present day Egypt and part of what is now the Republic of Sudan(Nystrom, The Nystrom Atlas of World History - Second Edition., 2010). Both civilizations settled along river valleys, with the early Egyptian people settling along the River Nile including the Nile River Delta. The Nile River flows from Lake Victoria in the Great Lakes Region, northwards to the Mediterranean Sea. The Indus civilization on the other hand settled along River Indus which flows from the Himalayas Mountains, southwards to the Indian Ocean. The significance of the Nile River to the Egyptian civilization and the Indus River for the Indus civilization cannot be underestimated. The two rivers flooded periodically, dumping fertile silt onto the valleys. The two civilizations, therefore, utilized the fertility of the river valleys to practise agriculture which was their main economic activity, and was the key element in the rise of the civilizations(Yavuz, n.d). In addition, the two civilizations were isolated from the rest of human settlements. The Egyptian kingdom was protected from adversaries by the Saharan desert to the north-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Similarly, the Indus civilization was sheltered from invasion by the Himalayas Mountains to the north and north-west, while the Indian Ocean acted as a buffer to the south of the civilization. However, this security was only temporary as the Egyptian and Indus civilizations were conquered by the Libyans and Aryans respectively(Pearson: Higher Education, 2010). Religious Beliefs Both the early Egyptian and Indus people believed in life after death and their religion was polytheistic(Steilacoom Historical School District No.
1). Egypt’s chief deity is believed to have been referred to as Re or Ra – the sun god (Okon, 2012). However, this is debatable as some Egyptians revered the falcon Horus as the chief deity while others believed than Amun-Re was the chief god. In the Indus civilization, Brahman was held in higher esteem than the other gods. While the Indus people believed in reincarnation, the re-emergence of human life in different forms and states, the Egyptians’ main aim was to make a successful journey to the afterlife, once someone passed on, in order to join their immortal gods, especially Osiris, the god of the underworld (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d). Suffice to say, the two civilization believed in immortality and knew death to be a temporary feature – a bridge connecting one’s present life and their …show more content…
afterlife. Early Egyptians preserved the bodies of the deceased through mummification to enable one’s spirit reconnect with the body once they achieved immortality.
In this regard, several tombs were put up, especially for the royalty where the mummies were kept. In addition, the pharaohs were buried together with their possessions to use once they reached the afterlife. Similarly, the Indus people were buried with their possessions, and archaeological evidence has been found supporting such claims(Phillipsburg School District, n.d). The religious beliefs of the Egyptians were recorded in hieroglyphs, which can be seen on the walls of their pyramids and temples, detailing the journey to the afterlife. The Indus people also recorded their beliefs in a language known as the Sanskrit, which was used to write the Smriti and the Shruti, their main religious texts (Phillipsburg School District, n.d). Conclusion Both the early Egyptian and Indus civilizations have religious and geographical similarities and differences. A key similarity is in their choice to settle along river valleys for agricultural and security reasons. They were also isolated from the rest of the world, which is probably why they are unique and provide an interesting subject of discussion and study to
date.
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
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
These civilizations present many resemblances that were once part of the foundations of their society. Although both of these civilizations were at one point enemies of one another, they had similar correlations that shaped and formed their cultures and societies. The main difference between these two civilizations is religion. Without its differences, each civilization had governed its people in manners that it could not be differentiated among each other. Overall, these civilizations presented different methods of leading a civilization and still had similarities among one another.
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.
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.
When comparing cultures it would be difficult to find two that are more diverse than the Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures. The Mesopotamian culture was filled with tension and instability while the Egyptian people maintained a stable and somewhat more content way of life. In examining these two cultures one can surmise that these differences are mainly due to the political, economic, social, religious, and geographic differences between Egypt and Mesopotamia. These factors added to the overall mentality of the people. These mentalities affected the stability of each culture, whether for the better or worse.
The grandeur with which Egyptians regarded their funerary customs does not come without explanation. They delighted in tying the occurrences of the natural world with supernatural dogma, and their burial practices exemplified this deluge of religion. A special deity was even attributed to cemeteries and embalmers: Anubis (Fiero, 46). Due to this deep sense of religion, a fixation with the afterlife developed within their culture. The Egyptian afterlife, however, is not synonymous of heave, but, rather, of The Field of Reeds, a continuation of one’s life in Egypt meant “to secure and perpetuate in the afterlife the ‘good life’ enjoyed on earth” (Mark 1; “Life in Ancient Egypt” 1). The pursuit of this sacred rest-place prompted the arousal of intricate Egyptian funeral rituals.
As civilizations arose they began to differ in many ways dependant upon their geographic location. Such as, the Mauryan and Byzantine empires. Their geologic location determined the outside influences that could have shaped their religions and languages, adaptations of people and animals, and source of food, and etc. Both civilizations took their own courses of action to build their great Empires. They are as much similar as they are different in many ways.
What explains the similarities and differences between the river- valley civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt? Mesopotamia is the civilization of man. A second civilization, form by 3000 B.C., benefited from trade and technological influences from Mesopotamia but it's different in society and culture. During that time each cities had their own god, both civilizations grew up around water. However, the most obvious foundation of all civilizations is their need of water sources. Both Mesopotamia and Egyptian civilizations existed on the banks of major rivers. In both places, they believed that the forces of nature reflected the decisions and actions of their duties. Each has a champion god and also the Greece were powerful. The most important
Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India are the earliest recorded societies possessing historical and cultural unity, also called civilization. They all developed close to a river which would later allow them to develop agriculture and blossom economically, politically and culturally. All four of them share similarities in their development but also differences that set them apart. This individual processes and changes produce a particular combination of factors that made them the first river valley civilizations in history.
The geography of both ancient Egypt, and Mesopotamia was the most significant factor that helped to influence, and develop both of their agricultures, religions, and economics. From the beginning the ancient Egyptians had an easier life due to a river that significantly helped with farm work. Due to egyptians easier lifestyles, they were able to have kind merciful gods. Mesopotamia on the other hand was constantly destroyed by violent devastating floods that would occur sporadically, they had merciless gods due to their harsh environment. The Mesopotamians had to create large systems to grow crops that would then be destroyed by the floods.
The four Ancient River Civilizations share similar core features within their societies; however, their cultures are still distinct and unique. In the Ancient World (±3500 BCE – ±500 BCE) there were four major river civilizations: Mesopotamia (±5000 BCE - ±33 BCE), the Indus Valley (±2100 BCE - ±1750 BCE), Egypt (±3100 BCE - ±323 BCE), and China (±2100 BCE - ±1368 CE). All four river civilizations’ core features are similar in their social structure, leadership, and agriculture. The differences between the river civilizations began in the geography of their placement, whether it is the rivers or the trade made possible through the geography. The river civilizations were distinct and
Though different in many ways imaginable both civilizations art and history has survived and left a significant mark in the history of time. Both Ancient civilization were remarkable in their devotion to their religion, the influential contributions to neighboring regions, and the mark they left in art, architecture, and science. Although different in many aspects, the greatest similarities shared by both civilization is that they reigned and lasted longer than other civilizations.
Civilization can be defined as a complex structure in which large numbers of people share several common elements such as social structure, religion, and culture. These civilizations live together in settlements, towns, and cities. The Mesopotamian society and Ancient Egypt were both similar, yet distinct civilizations. Their society, religion, and culture had many disparities, but both had many similar underlying themes.
The Nile civilization had pharaohs, priests, nobles, merchants, peasants and slaves while the Indus people had priests, wealthy merchants, craftsmen, laborers and the poor. Both believed in social mobility though later on became more complex for the Indus people. Though not much is known about the Indus civilization, both civilizations differed in economic progress within the social classes. One of the technological advances both had in common was their architectural creativity. The Indus created grid like city areas and water storages