Similarities And Differences Of Mesopotamia And Western Civilization

Rivers are more than just a large natural canal of water; they were the foundation of early civilization. Looking back in history there is one primary common theme in the first civilizations: they neighbored rivers. These civilizations settled in the valleys next to large flowing rivers due to the advantages and conveniences. These rivers provided civilians with water, not just for drinking, but also for farming – provided both water and fertile soil – and means of travel/trade. However, rivers weren’t these civilizations’ only similarities, and whilst they are very comparable, there were also many differences. The four main river valley civilizations were the Sumerian Civilization (Mesopotamia), the Egyptian Civilization, the Harappan Civilization, and Ancient China. Mesopotamia (roughly from 5000 BC to 600 BC) was located on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in what is now modern Iraq. Mesopotamia, which is known as the first civilization, was ruled mainly by the Sumerians in the beginning until ruled by Sargon and then the Babylonian Empire. Ancient Egyptian civilization was formed on the banks of the Nile River, with the Mediterranean and Red Sea as natural barriers. Harrapan

Religion is the most important as referring to their cultures and everyday lives, as well as social classes. The common theme of religion throughout the four civilizations is they were polytheistic, meaning they believed in more than one god. Religion also majorly tied in with government and ruling powers. Another similarity was they were all pretty much surround by natural barriers, such as seas, deserts, or mountains, that helped protect from invasion. However, natural barriers didn’t protect from floods which were a huge problem that could wipe out villages and destroy crops. Many of the civilizations had adopted their own kind of cuneiform whether it is hieroglyphics or