Ancient Egypt and Ancient China often seem like polar opposites in almost every way. However, in one way, they are more similar than most people think. The beliefs of both of these civilizations were remarkably parallel, yet perplexingly different at the same time. Religion before 600 B.C.E. varied from society to society all around the globe, with just a few major religions taking hold in large areas. In both Egyptian and Chinese religions, they adhered to a polytheistic religion. Boths religions believed there were many gods who individually ruled over the many different parts of life, instead of one god ruling over all. Both Egyptian and Chinese cultures believed in life after death. Each one of these religions believed in some form of …show more content…
The Egyptians thought that there was one god that ruled over a different part of their life. For example, in Document 5 it shows a picture of, “An Egyptian carving showing the Pharaoh Seti making an offering to Osiris, the god of death, afterlife, and resurrection.” This shows that the Egyptians believed in multiple gods because Osiris was just seem as the god of death, afterlife, and resurrection. They believed in many different gods serving many different purposes and “...the Egyptians do not all worship the same gods, excepting Isis and and Osiris, the latter of whom they say is the Grecian Bacchus.” (Document 7) These multiple gods that were regarded as the ruler of various things were not even believed in by all of Egypt. There were roughly two thousand gods worshiped in Egypt just like the many gods of China. Historians agree that the Chinese believed, much like the Egyptians, that there were many gods, each with their own jobs and responsibilities. Their primary religion was Daoism. Daoism was a philosophy/popular religion that advocates simplicity and understanding of the world of nature, founded by the legendary figure Laozi. Zhuangzi was a Chinese philosopher who spelled out the teachings of Daoism. He told of the many gods associated of Daoism. China also implemented the “Mandate of Heaven” which was a belief Chinese emperors held control over the divine if they ruled morally. This gave emperors …show more content…
It was an ancient Chinese practice to heat and crack bones, and then read them as prophecies. These prophecies ranged from things like, “If the king joins with Zhi [Guo] (an important Shang general) to attack the Shaofang, he will receive [assistance].” (Document 3) to simple matters like, “Lady Hao’s (a consort of Wu Ding) childbearing will be good.” These bones gave insight into the future for the Chinese people. They were able to believe that they understanded more about the universe than before, giving them a new sense of security in their faith. In a different way, the Egyptians found security in their stance with the gods they believed in. They, instead, sacrificed animals and gave offerings to their gods. “Such Egyptians as possess a temple of the Theban Jove, or live in the Thebaic canton, offer no sheep in sacrifice, but only goats; for the Egyptians do not all worship the same gods, excepting Isis and Osiris, the latter of whom they say is the Grecian Bacchus.” (Document 7) This shows that the Egyptians made sacrifices to various gods, in order to please said gods. They believed that if the gods became angered, they would take their rage out on the people of Egypt. Even pharaohs were not above giving to the gods of their religion. Document 5 shows an Egyptian pharaoh giving an offering to the god of death. This shows the fear that the
The Old Kingdom of Egypt (from 2700 to 2200 B.C.), saw the commencement of many of the rigid, formal beliefs of the Egyptian civilization, both in regards to their religious and political beliefs, as they were very closely intertwined. "... There was a determined attempt to impose order on the multitude of gods and religious beliefs that had existed since predynastic times... and the sun-god Re became the supreme royal god, with the ki...
The Cosmopolitan Middle East consists of both Mesopotamia and Egypt, but when Mesopotamia was split into two zones, Babylonia conquered the south, while Assyria conquered the north. The Hittites, one of the states that came to Mesopotamia, they made good use of the copper, silver, and iron, to increase commerce with other states. The Hyksos, a strong foreign group who had lot of strength and intelligence, took over the kingdom of Egypt and changed Egypt into an aggressive state. But it was also a time of change with many rulers who held the throne of New Kingdom Egypt, such as Hatshepsut, Akhenaten, and Ramesses II. Traveling and communication were necessities in international trading because metal was needed amongst different cities.
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
In the Classical Era, the collapse of the Roman Empire was similar to the collapse of the Han Dynasty in that they both fell due to external and internal conflict. However, they differed in that the Roman Empire became politically and culturally fragmented while the Han Dynasty was reconstituted as a political and cultural whole.
Religion was a major part of Ancient Egyptians’ lives. Their faith was so engrained in them that it was more of a lifestyle than a set of beliefs. The Egyptians practiced polytheism, or the worship of many gods, and they believed that their pharaoh was a god on Earth (Doc 3). The people worshipped the pharaoh and gave him all respect and power. They believed that their two main goals in life were to keep the pharaoh and the other gods happy and to live a good life so that they may enjoy a happy life after death. Their shared faith strengthened their society because everyone was working toward the same goal. Groups were not divided based on what god they worshipped. Instead, the fact that every person lived to please the same gods and wished to go to the same afterlife gave them something in common and brought them together as a community. Sumerians also practiced polytheism and believed that their priests were connected to the gods. The people thought it was their responsibility to keep the gods happy, and believed that if the gods were pleased, they would allow their people to be content as well (Doc 6). Because of their desire to please the gods, Sumerians performed every task to the best of their ability. For example, they invested lots of time and money into their ziggurats, or temples, because they only wanted to give their best to the gods. The Sumerians’ devotion to every task ensured that everything was done well and helped their civilization
In conclusion, there were some beliefs and customs that the Egyptians and the Sumerians shared. They were both polytheistic and they both relied on the surrounding rivers for agriculture/life support. Yet their attitudes and prayers towards the gods and goddesses differed as well as their views on the afterlife. As explained, these views differed due to their location, climate and yield in agriculture.
Egyptians worshiped many gods and goddesses. Some of the gods they worshiped were Ra the sun god, Isis the god of nature and magic, Horus the god of war and Osiris the god of the dead. The act of worshiping many gods is called polytheism. The Egyptians had a god for almost everything.
I believe that Religion was a vital part of every Egyptian’s life. Egyptians understood that their Gods had already finalized each task, and their job was to embrace it and give thanks. The Egyptians believed that in the beginning, there was Nun. Nun was believed to be swirling chaotic waters. Next, a hill emerged from the waters. This hill is known as Ben Ben. Atum, who was believed to be the first God, stood on the hill, and created the God of air and the goddess of moisture. Their names were Shu and Tefnut .
Although there are few religions that still consider the ways of the ancient Egyptian culture important, they are still out there. They are influenced every day by the history, which permeates their rituals, scriptures, and more. Furthermore, Egypt’s political influence may be outdated and not the clearest system, but it led the way for further development and refinement for future use. Without the influence of Egypt, we would not be the civilization that we are
Mesopotamian and Egyptian religions shared two key similarities: polytheism and priestly authority. The religions in Mesopotamia and Egypt were both polytheistic. Their religions were polytheistic because Mesopotamians and Egyptians could not explain many things in that occurred in their lives. Therefore, they assumed that there are different gods for everything. This means that the religion had many gods for different things. In Egypt and Mesopotamia, priests were part of the upper class and were very important in the daily lives of civilians. Priests were part of the upper class because they were thought to have the ability to communicate with the gods. In Mesopotamia, the priests held the highest authority in the religious structure. Egyptian priests were not as powerful in government as Mesopotamian priests were, but they still had significant power. Egypt’s highest religious and military leader was encapsulated in the position of pharaoh. The pharaoh was at the top of all social classes and was considered to be a god-like figure.
Religion was very important to the ancient Egyptians the believed in many gods, meaning they were polytheistic.
Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece both believed in many gods and goddesses, known as Polytheistic religion.1 In Ancient Egypt early practices of religion began in different villages who worshiped their own gods, adapting animal like symbols such as crocodiles, scarab beetle, and bull. As time progressed Ancient Egypt believed in many gods and goddesses and the most significant ones included Amon-Ra, originally the sky god, and sun god combined. Egypt also worshipped Osiris, the god of the afterlife who judged people after death, and Isis the goddess of royal throne who was the protector of her husband Osiris. Unlike the Egyptians, Greeks worshipped all their gods and goddesses. Greeks worshipped Zues the ruler of all gods and goddess who resided and ruled on Mount Olympus. They worshipped Athena the goddess of wisdom and war, which Athens one of the central polis was named after. Unlike Egyptian deities, Greek gods and goddesses w...
The Egyptians believed very much in life after death. As Taylor states in Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, “It is often observed that they appear to have devoted greater efforts and resources to preparing for the afterlife than to creating a convenient environment for living” (Taylor, 2001:12). The Egyptians viewed life on earth as one stage and death as the beginning of another. They believed that, “human existence did not end with death and that survival of the body played a part in the new life” (Taylor, 2001:12). One of the key elements in the Egyptian culture and religion was the preservation of the body. The body was the most important aspect because it was like a portal through which an individual could continue to live after death (Taylor, 2001:46). The Egyptians began building tombs for these bodies to keep them from decaying.
In conclusion, Ancient Egypt has a very complex religion and beliefs that would be considered bizarre in many parts of the world. They believed in many gods, some took part in the creation of the universe. Others brought the flood every year, offered protection and took care of people after they died. The ancient Egyptians thought that it was important to recognize and worship the gods because they represented the peace and harmony across the land.
China is officially an atheist country, a variety of religions and beliefs can be found. Confucianism and Taoism, plus Buddhism, constitute the so-called “three teachings”, philosophical frameworks which historically have had a significant role in shaping Chinese culture. The basics of this three beliefs are commonly incorporated into traditional folk religions. Chinese religions are family-oriented and practice of several beliefs at the same time is allowed.