Egypt And Mesopotamia Similarities
Mesopotamia and Egypt are the two of the several remarkable civilizations that have had a vast impact on our present day society. Both were similar socially as they had comparable social class systems, agricultural societies, and woman’s roles. However, both differ in view of after life, the status of a king or ruler, as well as the process of death. The main reasons to why these two civilizations were so successful were due to the fact of their incredibly similar social characteristics. There are several similarities the Mesopotamian and the Egyptian civilizations share.
Both had a common basic social class system. On top stood either the royals or priests, right below them followed the middle class, and at the base of the pyramid remained
the lower class. Slaves from both societies were able to buy their freedom through either loyal service or money. The class systems also affected the lives of men and women giving each class a restriction of rights. The two civilizations had an economic system that was mostly based on their agriculture. Their agriculture depended on their near water source and its seasonable flooding. Most people, during the time, were farmers and worked on fields and crops. During the farming seasons, the farmers created a surplus of food; enough for their families and enough to sell to make profit. Eventually, new technologies and inventions arose to help make farming and producing goods simple. One example could be their conception of an irrigation system, which got water to their crops in a much easier and efficient way. Lastly, both Mesopotamian and Egyptian women obtained similar roles. Basically they were expected to cook, clean, and look out for the children as well as their husbands. A woman never had a great deal of a purpose during ancient times, though it was believed their only purpose in life was to reproduce. Although women engaged in restricted rights, they did acquire certain privileges. Wealthy or middle-class woman could own and trade property. Adding on, some upper-class women had the advantage to learning how to read and write. Aside from it all, both civilizations did not always manage similar characteristics in all aspects. The ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations differed religiously. Egypt had a more positive outlook in afterlife; unlike Mesopotamia which had a further negative view. The Mesopotamians' view of the afterlife was a place filled with complete darkness, where there is no returning when once entered and possesses no pathway back to the living. Mesopotamians lived in the constant fear of angering their animistic gods. However, all ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife and spent their lives preparing for it. They would create tombs to take with them in the afterlife and filled them with clothes, furniture, food, and plenty of wine. Egyptians used mummification as an elaborate system to prepare for the afterlife. Many believed that for someone to pass over to the next life, they needed to have a body to go back to. As for the Mesopotamians, they had burials for the dead. Most people were buried in family graves under their houses, along with some possessions. In the Egyptian world, kings were viewed as a semi-divine god. Formal religious practice centered on the pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Although he was a human, the pharaoh was believed to be descended from the gods. He acted as the intermediary between his people and the gods, and was obligated to sustain the gods through rituals and offerings so that they could maintain order in the universe. The Mesopotamians believed their kings and queens were descended from the City of Gods, but, unlike the ancient Egyptians, they never believed their kings were real gods. As kings, they had to look after their people and work as spiritual leaders. The Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations attain various similar social characteristics, as well as differ in numerous religious aspects.
Both had a common basic social class system. On top stood either the royals or priests, right below them followed the middle class, and at the base of the pyramid remained
the lower class. Slaves from both societies were able to buy their freedom through either loyal service or money. The class systems also affected the lives of men and women giving each class a restriction of rights. The two civilizations had an economic system that was mostly based on their agriculture. Their agriculture depended on their near water source and its seasonable flooding. Most people, during the time, were farmers and worked on fields and crops. During the farming seasons, the farmers created a surplus of food; enough for their families and enough to sell to make profit. Eventually, new technologies and inventions arose to help make farming and producing goods simple. One example could be their conception of an irrigation system, which got water to their crops in a much easier and efficient way. Lastly, both Mesopotamian and Egyptian women obtained similar roles. Basically they were expected to cook, clean, and look out for the children as well as their husbands. A woman never had a great deal of a purpose during ancient times, though it was believed their only purpose in life was to reproduce. Although women engaged in restricted rights, they did acquire certain privileges. Wealthy or middle-class woman could own and trade property. Adding on, some upper-class women had the advantage to learning how to read and write. Aside from it all, both civilizations did not always manage similar characteristics in all aspects. The ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations differed religiously. Egypt had a more positive outlook in afterlife; unlike Mesopotamia which had a further negative view. The Mesopotamians' view of the afterlife was a place filled with complete darkness, where there is no returning when once entered and possesses no pathway back to the living. Mesopotamians lived in the constant fear of angering their animistic gods. However, all ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife and spent their lives preparing for it. They would create tombs to take with them in the afterlife and filled them with clothes, furniture, food, and plenty of wine. Egyptians used mummification as an elaborate system to prepare for the afterlife. Many believed that for someone to pass over to the next life, they needed to have a body to go back to. As for the Mesopotamians, they had burials for the dead. Most people were buried in family graves under their houses, along with some possessions. In the Egyptian world, kings were viewed as a semi-divine god. Formal religious practice centered on the pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Although he was a human, the pharaoh was believed to be descended from the gods. He acted as the intermediary between his people and the gods, and was obligated to sustain the gods through rituals and offerings so that they could maintain order in the universe. The Mesopotamians believed their kings and queens were descended from the City of Gods, but, unlike the ancient Egyptians, they never believed their kings were real gods. As kings, they had to look after their people and work as spiritual leaders. The Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations attain various similar social characteristics, as well as differ in numerous religious aspects.