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compare and contrast 1

Decent Essays

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Date:
Graded Assignment
The Comparative Essay: Early Civilizations
Complete and submit this assignment by the due date to receive full credit.
(45 points)
Score

1. Compare and contrast key characteristics of two early civilizations (choose from Mesopotamian, Shang, Indus Valley, Chavin, and Phoenician) in terms of three of the following: economy, political system, art and architecture, religion, technology, legacy.
Answer:
Of the world's first civilizations, all successful and renowned were located on or near a river. The Mesopotamian and Chavín civilizations were no exception to this. Mesopotamia originated in modern-day Iraq in 8000 B.C.E., between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, and the Chavín civilization was located on the …show more content…

They shared many similarities in their political systems, technological advancements, and in their use of art. Their political systems were very similar because both the Chavín and the Mesopotamians had leaders who claimed to be intermediaries between the people and their gods, along with a strongly emphasized class system. The societies technological advancements were similar in the fact that they both constructed irrigation systems and learned to use precious metals, but differed in the purpose of the artifacts manufactured from those metals. The presence of art in both societies showed how religion was a major component in the peoples lives, but the different uses of the art displayed how having a written language, like the Mesopotamians did, could greatly effect the culture. Even though these two civilizations were on opposite sides of the world the numerous similarities they had in political, technological, and artistic advances show how great of an effect that similar topographic features can have on a society.

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Scoring
Your teacher may use the following rubric and scoring instructions to grade your response.
Points
Basic Score: Competence
1
Has acceptable thesis
2

(1)
Addresses all parts of the question, though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly (Addresses most parts of the question; for example, might deal with similarities but not differences)
2

(1)
Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence

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