The geography of both ancient Egypt, and Mesopotamia was the most significant factor that helped to influence, and develop both of their agricultures, religions, and economics. From the beginning the ancient Egyptians had an easier life due to a river that significantly helped with farm work. Due to egyptians easier lifestyles, they were able to have kind merciful gods. Mesopotamia on the other hand was constantly destroyed by violent devastating floods that would occur sporadically, they had merciless gods due to their harsh environment. The Mesopotamians had to create large systems to grow crops that would then be destroyed by the floods.
The Nile river valley was one of the most flourishing regions in Africa. From it emerged the prominent kingdom of Egypt, which went on to be one of the most dynamic civilizations in that region. Mainly because of its hierarchal social class system and its unsteady government. Roughly a thousand kilometers to the Northeast of the Nile river valley lies the Mesopotamia region. In this region civilizations like the Sumerians prospered and enjoyed the knowledge and natural riches that came from the Fertile Crescent. These two civilizations had their similarities and differences in political and social structures, but for the most part they were considerably alike. Each regions civilization had many differences and similarities in their political
The historical land of Mesopotamia significantly contributed to early civilization in relation to its close proximity to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and rich fertile land it provided. The rivers offered the people of Mesopotamia fertile soil, irrigation water for crops and fishing, and also supplied an abundance of wild barley and wheat for food or could stored as a food supply.
The civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia had many similarities and differences, yet they both prospered. However, because of it’s geography and more advanced technology, Ancient Egypt was more designed for success.
Although, Mesopotamia is a specific region, which prospered, it possessed numerous city-states, which were self-governed and encountered many tribulations, making Mesopotamia less centralized. Egypt, however, emphasized a strong central authority, as the bureaucrat’s kept track of land and they imposed taxes in order to support construction and the army. Likewise to Mesopotamia, Egypt also portrayed the king as a god sent to earth in order to maintain property for the civilization. Mesopotamia considered merchants within their society to be essentially imperative in order to trade widely with foreign regions. On the other hand, Egypt’s foreign policy was essentially isolationist; therefore they identified any foreigners to be as enemies, but they still valued foreign resources. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia possessed resources, which they traded extensively, which was bronze and papyrus, as this was highly demanded throughout foreign nations. Moreover, the Mesopotamians viewed their gods negatively based upon the obstacles they encountered because of their environment, as they believed that their gods were associated with forces of nature. In spite of this, Egypt also believed that their gods were associated with the forces of nature, however, the outlook towards their gods was positive as their environment was reliable. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers of Mesopotamia resulted in frequent floods and droughts, while the Nile River regularly flooded the crops of Egypt. Nonetheless, the Mesopotamians and Egyptians significantly valued their religious practices and beliefs, which was depicted in their art and architecture. Thus, even though the Mesopotamians and Egyptians settled during the River Valley civilizations period, they both possess distinct aspects, as well as certain
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations developed under almost identical circumstances, but differences in irrigation, resources and location led them to have dissimilar sociopolitical setups . While Mesopotamia was forced to initiate development due to the unreliability of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Egypt was less complex, due to natural irrigation. These distinct differences caused changes in culture, political organization and the intellectual development of both regions. As a direct result Mesopotamia was centered around social hierarchy, while Egypt was centered around a religious chain of command given rise by the natural irrigation of the Nile River. Egyptian society was also emphasized by a strong central authority, as opposed
Rivers were very important physical factors that helped lead to the development of Mesopotamia. The societies, which settled in Mesopotamia, were close to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These two rivers provided the Mesopotamians with easy access to water for many different tasks such as transportation, irrigation for crops,
Civilization is an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached. Mesopotamia and Egypt are both perfect examples of this definition. Both of these ancient civilizations have been credited with providing the world with a plethora of contributions dating back to around 4000 B.C.
The geography impacted life in Ancient Mesopotamia. The civilizations had arose in this part of the world because it was easy to grow food in this area. The ease of food production gave the people to settle down in a place, population growth, and the production of towns and cities. This was possible because
In what ways were the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt alike? In what ways were they different?