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The foremost civilizations that began in Mesopotamia, Egypt and India all share the basic characteristics of what defines a civilization. All three were river civilizations, thus there very survival was contingent on their specific neighboring rivers. Each of these civilizations developed a system of writing, irrigation, and their own complex governments founded on their respective religions. However, the differences between these three civilizations are more eminent than their similarities.
Even though the Nile River valley, Mesopotamian and the Indus Valley civilizations all surrounded bodies of water, they each had individual geographic characteristics which largely contributed to their development. The Sumerian people of Mesopotamia developed complex irrigation systems in order to control the flow of rivers, due to unpredictable flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers into the regions soil (Duiker and Spielvogel 9). The Sumerians
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extensive form of irrigation created an accumulation of food supply.
Similarly, the Egyptians largely depended on the Nile river (Duiker and Spielvogel 15). However, the Nile River was not only a source of life but a natural barrier to invasion; one that the Mesopotamians did not have. The rivers of the Mesopotamian civilization provided no protection thus making it more susceptible to invasion. The annual flooding of the Nile river was also more predictable than the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Overall the conditions for agriculture exceeded that of the Mesopotamians. This stability and sense of security gave the Egyptians a more positive outlook on life than the Sumerians (Duiker and Spielvogel 17). Divided into three major zones; the geographic structure of the Indus Valley civilization was far more complex
and diverse than that of Mesopotamia and the Nile River Valley. It was surrounded by the mountain ranges and Indian oceans which created seasonal monsoons. Many cities near the Indus River Valley were often destroyed by the flood waters from the rivers. Subsequently, they had to use clay bricks to build wall barriers and eventually their houses. Still, the massive flooding gave the them ample water. Along with the extensive amount of land and fertile soil, the Harappa’s produced more agriculture. The ability to record and communicate is a significant characteristic of a civilization. The Sumerians developed cuneiform and wrote on clay tablets. Their system of writing was used primarily for record keeping, education and forms of expression including literature. The ancient Egyptians of the Nile created hieroglyphics which was not as complex as the Sumerians system of writing. The hieroglyphics consisted of symbols that symbolized sacred values. Through this, they were also able to exchange ideas with literature and art as well as record important things. The early Indus civilization had a sacred language which scholars have yet to decipher. However, the Harappa’s were more sophisticated in pottery and sculpture than the Sumerians and Egyptians (Duiker and Spielvogel 40). Being River civilizations, trade and transportation was a shared feature that affected each respective economy. Once the Sumerians discovered trading, settlements became larger thus developing the first city-states. Their economy was still based on agriculture, but trade became a large part of it as well. The Sumerians commerce with nomadic people led to the discovery of carts which made the transportation of goods easier (Duiker and Spielvogel 11). This in addition to the lack of barriers making it an easily accessible area, eventually allowed for trade with other civilizations. What made the Egyptian civilization different from the others, was that it was a little more self-sufficient. It had all the resources It needed from local sources and was less open to outsiders than Mesopotamia or Indus. Some Egyptian merchants traded internationally by the king’s order and eventually they set up international trade (Duiker and Spielvogel 19). The economy of the Indus river was largely dependent on trade and due to the advancement in ship making traveled extensively to trade with one another and their foreign neighbors. The Mesopotamian civilization, Nile River civilization and the Indus valley Civilization each gave their theocratic leaders great authority and developed complex social hierarchies. All of these societies were ruled by either kings or priests who held majority of the government’s power. However, each of the governments specialized in different fields depending on the sustenance of each civilization and was relative to the religions of the societies. In ancient Egypt pharaohs were just as important as the Nile River. The Sumerians had kings with power similar to that of the Egyptian pharaohs as well as a strict civil law known as the Hammurabi code. The Indus valley cities were ruled by the absolute powers of the priest and built by expert government planners.
The ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Egypt developed into successful civilizations. One civilization the Egyptians developed was in the Nile River valley. Based off the "Mesopotamia and Egypt DBQ" packet, "Ancient Egypt was an advanced civilization in many areas including religion, architecture, transportation, and trade. Ancient Mesopotamia was one of the first civilizations that developed a form of government as well as organized people in political states." Based on the documents, Egypt and Mesopotamia developed into successful and advanced civilizations by effectively using the resources that surrounded them to solve problems and live happily.
The first civilization to rise was the Mesopotamia, located in present day Iraq, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and Egypt, along the Nile River. It’s split in two ecological zones. In the south Babylonia (irrigation is vital) and north Assyria (agriculture is possible with rainfall and wells). By 4000 B.C.E., people had settled in large numbers in the river-watered lowlands of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Archaeologists have shown that large-scale irrigation appeared only long after urban civilization had already developed, meaning major waterworks were a consequence of urbanism (population). Mesopotamia cities were made of people called the Summerians in the land of Sumer located on the south of Babylonia. The Summerian city was one of
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 cultures of Mesopotamia and Egypt are a factor of the evolution of civilizations in present-day. Though, it wouldn’t occur if both of these ancient civilizations didn’t develop into successful ones. There are three similar components that led Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia to become prosperous. These are the locations, their way of life, and their beliefs. All of these elements will be explored more thoroughly throughout this essay.
Egypt and Mesopotamia were two of the world’s earliest city-based civilizations, creating the basis for Middle Eastern and Western history. Both Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations existed on the banks of major rivers. While Egyptian civilization thrived along the Nile, Mesopotamia settled between the Tigris and the Euphrates. Although they shared this characteristic, it was also the cause of many of their differences in political systems, religions, and social stability.
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.
Around 3500 B.C.E to 3000 B.C.E., civilizations emerged in many places. Egypt and Mesoamerica are distinctive two of them. Considering the different aspects of civilization, historians can find some same characteristics and differences which are valuable for historians to understand civilization in-depth.
One reason why I think Egypt was more unified, was the gift of the Nile. In my personal opinion people are products of their environment. The Nile, was one element that made living for a large population possible. The laid back atmosphere led the people to come together to create simple, but efficient ways of fertilizing the ground; furthermore, the fertile rich area allowed prosperity in crops and gave everyone piece of mind that they were not going to starve. (text, 73) On the other hand, Mesopotamia’s two rivers the Tigris and Euphrates, required people to create ways of irrigation to make the land more fertile for crops. (text, 59) The overall view of Mesopotamia’s greed arose from the possibility of loosing crops due to the floods. (text, 59) In other words, the land did not provide a great guara...
The Egyptian and Mesopotamian religion and society were similar, but their government system was different. The religions in Egypt and Mesopotamia were similar because both were polytheistic, had beliefs of an afterlife, as well as priests who were part of the upper levels of the social hierarchy. Social similarities between Egypt and Mesopotamia included: rigid social structure, dependence on slavery, and authoritative religious structure. However, the system of government was different because Egyptian society was governed by a theocratic monarchy, while Mesopotamia was ruled by a traditional monarchy.
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.
The Nile and Indus River Valley civilizations were both unique civilizations in their own way in comparison. Yet despite being separated by thousands of miles there are similarities in these two ancient civilizations. It is seen that amongst ancient civilizations, rivers are fundamental for them to prosper and provide for a relatively stable society for which a people can grow and develop. There are general similarities with pinpoint differences as well as general differences with pinpoint similarities. Both civilizations have left their influence on human civilization and history, with their unique characteristics of their religion, way of life, social classes, cultures, technological advancements, government systems, rulers and notable
Mesopotamia’s climate consisted of temperatures rising from 110 to 120°F in the summer. This led to many dry days that eventually led to a severe drought. Basically, there was little to no rainfall from the months of May until October. This led to the devastation of agriculture. Not only did the Sumerians have to deal with the effects of the droughts, they had to deal with the consequences of flooding as well. The Tigris and the Euphrates surrounded Mesopotamia thus when it would overflow more devastation would occur such as the washouts of embankments. (Hause, 2001, pg. 7)
Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Greece were all historical civilizations that made history the way it is today. The three civilizations differed in many different ways, but they were also quite similar in other aspects. The focus of survival, beliefs, daily life, and many other focuses connect the three civilizations.
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.
Approximately 5500 years ago four of the worlds' most prestigious ancient river civilizations had emerged. Our world has been left in astonishment and awe wondering how these civilizations were developed. Egypt and Mesopotamia were the first ancient river civilizations to create cities and their own ways of living. Society, geography, and religion played an enormous role in the development of the ancient cities. Although there is evidence of early Sumerian contact with the Egyptians, Egypt's civilization was largely self-generated and its history and cultural patterns differed from Mesopotamia.