Egypt And Mesopotamia Similarities
Although both Mesopotamia and Egypt developed along major river valleys, each have established different political, economical, social and even religious customs. Their differing geographic makeups have shaped each civilizations existence. The root of the difference is caused by the fact that Mesopotamia was unguarded, the crossroads of civilizations, while Egypt was highly protected on many sides by natural barriers.
From a political view, Mesopotamia and Egypt are fairly similar, with certain opposing features. Mesopotamia was led by a monarchy with one ruler holding the power. Similarly, Egypt had one pharaoh at the top of power, in addition to support from a bureaucracy. Mesopotamia did not have an additional bureaucracy, but instead, a
system of small self-governing city-states. This divided the power there while keeping it more centralized within Egypt.
In addition to politics in both ancient civilizations, their economies varied. Mesopotamia relied heavily on earnings from foreign and local trade. This caused the development of merchant/traders as a common job. This contrasts from Egyptian society. In Egypt, farming was the key to their economic success. Due to being a highly protected society, trade was not usual among the common people. Both empires were prosperous through surplus farming of their fertile land, though handled it differently.
Additionally, social similarities and variations were seen in the life of both the Mesopotamian and Egyptian people. Each group had a leader on top, with some rich and some poor commoners. Mesopotamia however, had a far stricter day-to-day life with the introduction of a strict decree called Hammurabi’s Code. It featured harsh punishments and numerous regulations not found in Egyptian life. As a whole, the social life of a Mesopotamian and Egyptian contrasted, even though their two
religions were alike. Both cultures had polytheistic religions, with many controlling gods. Mesopotamia feared them whereas Egypt accepted their gods due to the difference in the predicted flooding of the Nile and periodic flooding of Mesopotamia’s two rivers. In conclusion, both civilizations feature similarities and differences in their politics, economy and social systems. These distinctions all stem from the slight variations in geographic characteristics.
From a political view, Mesopotamia and Egypt are fairly similar, with certain opposing features. Mesopotamia was led by a monarchy with one ruler holding the power. Similarly, Egypt had one pharaoh at the top of power, in addition to support from a bureaucracy. Mesopotamia did not have an additional bureaucracy, but instead, a
system of small self-governing city-states. This divided the power there while keeping it more centralized within Egypt.
In addition to politics in both ancient civilizations, their economies varied. Mesopotamia relied heavily on earnings from foreign and local trade. This caused the development of merchant/traders as a common job. This contrasts from Egyptian society. In Egypt, farming was the key to their economic success. Due to being a highly protected society, trade was not usual among the common people. Both empires were prosperous through surplus farming of their fertile land, though handled it differently.
Additionally, social similarities and variations were seen in the life of both the Mesopotamian and Egyptian people. Each group had a leader on top, with some rich and some poor commoners. Mesopotamia however, had a far stricter day-to-day life with the introduction of a strict decree called Hammurabi’s Code. It featured harsh punishments and numerous regulations not found in Egyptian life. As a whole, the social life of a Mesopotamian and Egyptian contrasted, even though their two
religions were alike. Both cultures had polytheistic religions, with many controlling gods. Mesopotamia feared them whereas Egypt accepted their gods due to the difference in the predicted flooding of the Nile and periodic flooding of Mesopotamia’s two rivers. In conclusion, both civilizations feature similarities and differences in their politics, economy and social systems. These distinctions all stem from the slight variations in geographic characteristics.