In 3000 BCE, the creation of the first early river civilization of Mesopotamia sparked the creation of other advanced civilizations around the world. These civilizations had developed in modern-day Egypt, China, and the Middle Eastern Region. The civilization of the Shang came to in 1750 BCE and could be located in modern-day China. The Indus River valley civilization, however, developed as early as 2500 BCE in present-day North-Western India. Similarities and differences between the two progressions were common in their political systems, religious ideas, and artworks. Although not closely located, the Shang and Indus River civilizations shared more similarities than differences in some aspects due to them both facing the same issues that …show more content…
all early river civilizations faced. Very little is known about the Indus River valley compared to the Shang civilization; however, the differences and similarities between these societies are very noticeable within their art.
For example, both the Shang and Indus River civilizations incorporated animals into their art. Much of the ceremonial pieces and sculptures created by the Shang people were in the shape and form of some type of animal. Similarly, the Indus River people incorporated animals into the seals that they are known for. The seals were two-inch wearable tokens that depicted horned animals and represented strength and masculinity. The reasons behind either of the civilization's art, however, were different for each society. From what we know, the Shang people were a bit more religious than the Indus people. The Shang's views were shown in almost every aspect of their life. Their art and architecture was created for burials and to depict god and goddesses. It is still unclear to historians on what art meant to the Indus River people. Although their jewelry and seals could depict the societies beliefs, it is not as clear to historians as it was for the Shang. Not only do the arts of both civilizations offer insight to their culture, but they offer insight into their religion as
well. Religion first began developing between cultures after the first advanced civilization was created. As a result of the cultures developing around te same time and areas, religious ideas between societies and cultures were often quite similar. With this being said, each civilization had their own views on the afterlife and the Gods they worshiped. By looking at the Shang and Indus River civilizations, it is revealed that both shared polytheistic beliefs. Both civilizations worshiped a main God and many smaller deities. For the Shang, worship revolved around a male God names Shang Ti. The Harappans, however, worshiped a mother-goddess figure. The Indus river also worshiped symbols of fertility, whereas, the Shang worshiped their ancestors. Another similarity within religion involves the writing techniques of both societies. Although neither culture used to same language or writing style, they both passed on their religious views through their own advanced form of writing. Religious aspects and political systems also commonly went hand-in-hand. For example, the Shang civilization was ruled by monarchs who they believed were directly related to their deities. It is unclear how the Indus River people’s deities were connected with their political values. Due to these different religious beliefs, organization of the political systems of each society differentiates completely. The political developments of both these civilizations show how different, yet similar, each society was. It is known that the Shang had a very large and centralized government, for example. It is inferred, due to uncovered artifacts, that the Indus River also had a large, central government. This is found to be true due to the societies building layout and architecture. The Shang and Indus River people also claimed a large expanse of territory and traded long distances with other cultures. We also know that Monarchs were the head of control for the Shang people, but we are unsure who was for the Indus people. Most of these finding generally relate back to the religion, art, and architecture uncovered from these great civilizations. The political systems of both societies clearly show the common bonds that are shared between many early river civilizations. Throughout of the ages of the first early river civilizations, many common similarities and differences were shared between each culture. By looking at the Shange and Indus River civilizations, we see these comparison made through art, religion, and their political systems. Both civilizations shared animals in their art, polytheistic beliefs, and a centralized political system. Although we know little about the Indus people, we can still contrast differences in these three categories, such as how their religious beliefs were shown. The various similarities and differences shown by these two civilizations show the common challenges that all early civilizations faced in a developing world.
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.
Some similarities between the Zhou and Han dynasties include the family and religious systems and some of the changes include government authority and increasing trade and philosophy.
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 four river valley civilizations, formed in Mesopotamia (Tigris Euphrates River), Egypt (Nile River), the Indus River basin (Indus River), and China (Huanghe River), all had common features as well as distinctly different ones. When comparing these four civilizations, one may notice that each of their governments were run by kings. The difference though, is that China, Egypt, and India’s kings came from dynasties, whereas Mesopotamian rulers were chosen by their importance and strength as military leaders. They were also similar because of their reliance on agriculture and the river they built their civilization along. The river provided food, water for agriculture, and was a means of transportation and communication. The four civilizations
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.
The Egyptians and Aztecs, are there own marked down in history with there many different but also similar activities. It’s what separates them out today when learning about the different culture and beliefs of this 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.
Ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations would not be as successful as they were without living by the Tigris, Euphrates, and Nile rivers. Rivers shaped the development of civilization in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia by how they utilized the floods, what they traded, their views on religion, and controlling the rivers.
These two civilizations have many differences, but they also have some similarities. For example, The Mesopotamia was one of the first civilizations discovered along the Fertile Crescent. As well as the Mesopotamia was one of the first civilizations to be discovered, so was The Nile River Valley.
The artworks of Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Aegean cultures, and Ancient Greece have similarities that not only reflect objects and images, but also the media, style and representation. These countries were not always wealthy, clever, creative and powerful enough to gain supplies, but they all find a way to create art with what they had. They have all influenced on each other’s cultures and belief through their artistic values and ways, ranging from the materials and tools they use, position and representation of their monuments and their religious intent.
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.
There have been many contributions from a very long time ago that still influence life today. Specifically the three River Valley Civilizations, Egypt, China and Mesopotamia. Starting in around 3500 B.C. the first of the River Valley Civilizations was formed in southwestern Asia, and soon grew into these three major contributions to society today.
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.
The most influential theme in art for centuries was that of religion. There have been many things that have influenced art over the generations. Nothing has had the impact on the art world that religions has. Many of the ancient art works were dedicated to the gods or other religious figures. The statues of the Ancient Egyptians were not just for beauty. Instead, they were representations of the gods and were meant to have significant meaning to the people who saw them. The people of the time knew the meaning of every reed, flower, bird, or animal that was depicted in the art. The same is true of the Greeks and Romans. Most of the art was inspired by the gods and the mythology of the region. Art as a way of imparting a message dominates the art world. For most of history, art had a meaning that was often connected to the religion of the region. This is fitting since art has a sense of permanence that most other mediums do not possess.