Compare and Contrast Egyptian and Mesopotamian Culture

The Mesopotamia Civilization and Egyptian Civilization, both at their prime around the same time had many similarities as well as many differences. Both civilizations brought ideas and processes into the world that impacted the development of other societies around the world. The Mesopotamia civilization was a theocracy ruled by a monarchy which they believed to be divine in origin, Meaning kings derived their power from the gods and were in direct connection with the gods. The religion of the people of Mesopotamia as polytheistic, as they worshiped over 3000 gods and goddesses.

The people believed the gods and goddesses owned the cities so each city had a temple that was built with much wealth. The temples owned much of the land and livestock. The temple was the center of the city as well as a political and economical center. There was three main social classes, nobles, commoners and slaves. Nobles included royal and priestly officials and their families. Commoners were the nobles clients as they worked for the palace and temple as well as other common workers of the city. Slaves ere owned by palace officials and were used for building project and weaving.

The economy was based on agriculture. The valley between the Tigris and Euphrates Is where the Mesopotamia peoples thrived. The river valley Is the main reason why the society survived and prospered being that their economy was based solely on agriculture. The law code of the people was based on the principle of retribution, (eye for an eye). The Egyptian Civilization was a theocracy as they had a king thought to have a divine connection with the gods. Egyptians were a polytheistic peoples the worship any gods with two specific groups being the sun gods and land gods.

The Egyptian religion was apart of everyday life and could be no other way, pleasing the gods was most Important. The Egyptian social class was God-king, nobles and priests, merchants and artisans, serfs and common people. Egyptians were content with their everyday life. They married young and established home and family. The two civilizations were very similar In ways. Both societies had a polytheistic religion and both had kings who had a delve connection with the gods. The social classes of both were similar the differences were the Egyptians had a class of recreants and artisans a class above the common people.

The traditions are very different as the Egyptians were very extravagant In their celebration of death and preparation of kings and company going Into the afterlife. Both societies thrived In a river valley environment, both used agriculture to support the people both physically and economically. Also because of their locations other peoples wanted the land for Its fertility so each society has Its share of conflicts. Both societies has a writing form. Women. Men were seen as the head of household and the women here to care for the children and the home.