At the start of early civilizations, many people created ideas, that were similar, and also different. Examples of this can be shown from both Mesopotamia, and from Egypt. The unfair treatment and lack of freedom women received was a similar characteristic in both Egypt and Mesopotamia. As well as this, the 1 key leader of each civilization, is key for both Mesopotamia and Egypt. But, Mesopotamia did use the aspect of structure classes for their people, and Egypt did not incorporate this into their civilization. These key subjects lead to the development of making stronger, smarter, and more enhanced civilizations, by learning from these aspects. In the religious aspect of both Mesopotamia and Egypt, their gods were connected to aspects of nature. Gods represented power and strength, and this was mainly shown through the power of nature. Examples of this can be shown by the Egyptian gods Osiris, Re, Ptah, and Amon, who each represent an aspect of nature. Mesopotamia also has gods, like Tiamat, Anu, and Aruru. Since the location of both Mesopotamia and Egypt forced them to use nature to their advantage, it can be assumed that they viewed nature as something that was powerful and treasured, in a way that they needed to respect it. They did this by rituals, songs, and offering. The Mesopotamian literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh, showed the power of the gods. Examples of this is the mass flood, the ability to grant someone immortality, and also the ability to punish by death.
Most societies that developed in ancient civilizations were centered around their belief systems. The Egyptians and the Mesopotamians were no different in this sense. Both civilizations were polytheistic and built elaborate temples to praise their gods. Additionally, the leaders in both regions were believed to be related to the gods because of the great power they held and the wealth under their control. However, the Mesopotamians had a pessimistic outlook on life because of the unpredictability of their environment. The Egyptians, on the other hand, had an optimistic outlook because the Nile River inundated their region regularly, which could be predicted by the stars. The similarities and differences in the religions of these two
The Latin root of the word, civilization, derives from civ, meaning citizens. The figurative root of civilization is also the development and advancement of the citizens. The three ancient civilizations that were the most advanced were Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and India. However, Egypt presented itself as the most civilized society because of their geography, government, and architecture.
Known as one of the earliest civilizations, Mesopotamia and Egypt both share set amounts of similarities along with a share of striking distinctions. Environmentally, these two civilizations were formed in similar surroundings, yet their weather patterns show distinctions. Politically, both governments derived from a monarch, yet their laws and punishments distinguished the two’s court systems. Economically, they both shared prosperous success in similar manners. Socially, although the two lands followed a hierarchy, the value of women contrasted. Culturally, they both believed in a higher order of creation; however, their views of them were polar opposites. Intellectually, these two societies developed skilled abilities and creations that
Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia present a valuable area of historical research. They are of great importance mostly because of their ethnic kinship (Watson, 2017). In such case, comparison and contrast essay is very promising as causal relationships can be formed based on a mutual starting point. This comparison-contrast essay focuses on differences and similarities in these societies’ economic, political and cultural life in order to make further implications regarding the circumstances the peoples of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia faced.
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
The first category of culture is religion. There were several similarities between the Mesopotamians and Egyptians. The Mesopotamians and Egyptians had their own religion and beliefs. Both were polytheistic, meaning they believed in numerous gods or goddesses instead of one god or goddess. There were also several differences between the Mesopotamian and Egyptians. While the Mesopotamians and Egyptians worshiped thousands of deities, there were four main essential deities for the Mesopotamians: An, Enlil, Enki, and Ninhursaga. An was the god of heaven. Enlil was the god of wind and became the power of energy, force, and authority on the earth. Enki was the god of
The first civilizations and the rise of empires began with small groups or villages existing with the use of hunting, fishing, and foraging. (William J. Duiker and Jackson J. Spielvogel, World History, vol. 1, 1) Within a few thousand years, people learned how to cultivate food crops and this led to an increase in population. Increased food production resulted in larger communities. The cities began to expand their cultural and religious developments leading to the beginnings of civilization. (Duiker, World History, 1) The first civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia and Egypt during the fourth and third millennia B.C.E and had various components in common. Each of these civilizations was established in a river valley so they were able to provide and produce the agricultural resources needed to survive and uphold the population. (Duiker, World History, 1) Mesopotamia developed in the valley between the Tigris and Euphrates River known as “the land between the rivers.” These rivers provided irregular and catastrophic flooding for the city-state. They created an intensive irrigation system to improve their agriculture. The first people to create Mesopotamian civilization were known as the Sumerians. These people were the first city builders and created the major city’s named Eridu, Ur, Uruk, Umma, and Lagash. These cities were built with surrounding walls and defense towers. A six-mile-long wall enclosed the city of Uruk. Mesopotamia lacked
Early Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations had many similarities and differences. Nonetheless, two distinct cultures developed in each area. Neither civilization existed in isolation but were connected to nearby and more distant civilizations through trade, war, and human relationships. Their cultures were influenced by outside civilizations and impacted others as well. In studying these two civilizations, a small picture of a larger, global network of human interactions is depicted (Strayer 103).
The physical environments of Egypt and Mesopotamia do explain their cultural differences. Egyptians had natural barriers and fertile, predictable land, while Mesopotamians had unpredictable land and no protection from invaders. These key differences are the basis of the cultural differences between the two regions, and explain different parts of their culture, such as their outlook on life/afterlife and their rulers.
When you look back in history to the development and the contributions of both the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, you see that there was a lot accomplished, as well as a lot created. The earliest forms of writing developed in Mesopotamia, while Egypt was referred to the “Gift of the Nile” by traveler Herodotus (McKay,42). Development of cities was another major marker, especially in the “old world”, of how people eventually determined civilizations and what they represented. According to McKay, civilizations were determined by people who considered themselves more “civilized”, urban people mostly. Made up of cities, written rules of law, and social justice codes, Mesopotamia and Egypt would develop into two of the largest civilizations in history.
Egypt developed around the Nile River, while Mesopotamia developed between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Egypt and Mesopotamia grew into complex civilizations. Politically, both Egypt and Mesopotamia had a government with one main ruler, but Egypt had a centralized government with a pharaoh, while Mesopotamia had a decentralized government with a king. Socially, both civilizations were patriarchal, but Egypt was more lenient towards women while Mesopotamia was stricter. The political and social structures of Egypt and Mesopotamia both similarities and differences.
Egyptian and Sumerian religions developed differently because their respective geographic environments caused them to hold divergent views of their lives. Since the geography in Sumer and Egypt was different, they held different views about their gods and beliefs. Even though they were two of the first civilizations, they developed different beliefs about their religion.
These are two cultures that were greatly influenced in an artistic manner by their natural surroundings but were expressed differently from each other. Starting with the Egyptians, they never had a true religion to begin with since they mainly focused on myths and doctrines. It is a truism that activities from everywhere were influenced by the natural conditions in which they lived. An example of this is the Nile river, which plays an important part of their mythology. Since it is a river that flows north, it creates a slim area of fertile land in the midst of a great desert. So when the Egyptians realized such a sharp contrast between the wasteland of the desert and a fertile area, it became a basic theme in Egyptian mythology. Other natural
Religion was an important factor in the everyday lives of Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians. Both civilizations were polytheistic which meant they worshiped multiple gods. Many elaborate temples were built to praise them. The leaders in both regions were believed to be related to the gods because of the great power they held and wealth under their control. Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife. When people died, they were buried with items to take along.
Mayan and Egyptian Pyramids By Warren Paar 01-21-16 3rd Two great civilizations, one in the east and one in the west, both ahead of their times in many ways, both a crucial part of history. Even though the cultures emerged at different times their building prowesses left their marks on the world. Gigantic towers of expertly carved stone rising over the horizon is an image that is hard to forget, for it leaves you breathless. The image could be many things but what comes to mind are the mighty eastern civilization of the Egyptians and the western Mayans, both world renowned for their skill with stone and building. Each a significant part of the past, these two impressive cultures share many similarities but are incredibly different at